Thesaurus results for BYSTANDER

bystander

noun

ˈbī-ˌstan-dər

Definition of bystander

as in observer

someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of bystander Nugent has been in police custody since shortly after Haines was injured and a crowd of bystanders subdued him. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Because ureaplasma can act as a bystander rather than the actual source, a positive test alone doesn’t automatically call for antibiotics. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026 Thank you to the bystanders who stepped in before the first ambulance arrived, and to the first responders in Wichita and here at home. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 From 2001 to 2010, as Denmark introduced nationwide resuscitation initiatives including mandatory school CPR education, bystander CPR rates more than doubled, while 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than tripled. — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bystander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystander

Noun

This disturbing contradiction suggests that different physical laws apply to the observer and the observed.

— Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
In a video of the incident posted to social media, a black SUV was seen driving down the residential street before appearing to strike an observer as other observers blew whistles in warning of approaching agents.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of observer

Noun

The race would bring teams, corporate partners, international media and spectators to Rwanda, creating opportunities to promote tourism and attract business.

— Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026
In the Stands Jaden quickly became a tennis spectator, as he and Steffi were spotted in the stands during one of Andre’s matches during the 2002 US Open.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of spectator

Noun

Ramaswamy’s campaign released a video featuring Acton’s mother, Donna Arthur, who tells viewers not to vote for her daughter.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026
More American viewers are likely to recognize Jay Z than Lamar or Bad Bunny, even if the latter is a massive international attraction.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of viewer

Browse Nearby Words

byroads

bystander

bystanders

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystander. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bystander

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes