Synonyms of withstand

withstand

verb

with-ˈstand 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resist
• oppose
• fight
• repel
• defy
• combat
• thwart
• contend (with)
• challenge
• contradict
• buck
• hinder
• counter
• stem
• contest
• frustrate
• obstruct
• check
• dispute
• battle
• balk
• foil
• baffle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• yield (to)
• submit (to)
• succumb (to)
• surrender (to)
• bow (to)
• give in (to)
• stoop (to)
• capitulate (to)
• knuckle under (to)

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

Recent Examples of withstand

Lovingly cared for by its current owners, the move-in ready home, at 131 Hartford Road, has withstood the test of time thanks to restorations, renovations, alterations and modern updates. —Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025

And their bodies are not strong enough to even fight, to -- to be able to withstand the risk of infection. —ABC News, 3 Aug. 2025

The recent batch of indicators has punctured the notion on Wall Street that the U.S. economy is bulletproof and can withstand headwinds like President Donald Trump’s trade war. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2025

His firm has developed homebuilding concepts designed to withstand this risk. —Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025