WITHSTAND Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'withstand' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of withstand are combat , oppose , and resist . While all these words mean "to set oneself against someone or something," withstand suggests a more passive resistance. // trying to withstand peer pressure

Q: When could 'combat' be used to replace 'withstand'?

While the synonyms combat and withstand are close in meaning, combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something. // combat disease

Q: Where would 'oppose' be a reasonable alternative to 'withstand'?

The words oppose and withstand can be used in similar contexts, but oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare. // opposed the plan

Q: When might 'resist' be a better fit than 'withstand'?

The synonyms resist and withstand are sometimes interchangeable, but resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it. // resisting temptation

withstand

verb

with-ˈstand

Definition of withstand next

as in to resist

to refuse to give in to trying to withstand the temptation to use the beautiful weather as an excuse to take a mental health day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb withstand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of withstand are combat, oppose, and resist. While all these words mean "to set oneself against someone or something," withstand suggests a more passive resistance.

trying to withstand peer pressure

When could combat be used to replace withstand?

While the synonyms combat and withstand are close in meaning, combat stresses the forceful or urgent countering of something.

combat disease

Where would oppose be a reasonable alternative to withstand?

The words oppose and withstand can be used in similar contexts, but oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

opposed the plan

When might resist be a better fit than withstand?

The synonyms resist and withstand are sometimes interchangeable, but resist implies an overt recognition of a hostile or threatening force and a positive effort to counteract or repel it.

resisting temptation

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 withstand Fortunately, La Concha withstood both and was ready to welcome guests when travel rebounded after World War II. —

Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026 Ryobi is great for occasional-use, light-duty stuff that needs to work but doesn’t have to withstand eight-hour daily punishment on a job site. —

Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 9 Apr. 2026 To contend with the pressure at a depth of 8,000 feet, the seismometers are encased in a stainless steel vessel built to withstand 10,000 pounds per square inch. —

Vanessa Bates Ramirez, Scientific American, 9 Apr. 2026 The thermal barrier on the bottom of the capsule had enough margin to withstand the charring, and the spacecraft safely splashed down. —

Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for withstand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withstand

Verb

The jury award was a spur to understand a life recognizably shaped by social-media algorithms, in ways that were perhaps near-impossible to resist, as a serious injury to an entire generation.

— Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026
Desmon Moore also physically resisted officers, documents filed with the court allege.

— Nick Sullivan April 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026