as in resisting
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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Recent Examples of withstanding
When that web frays, ecosystems lose their ability to store carbon and produce food, water, and oxygen, while withstanding climate stress.
—
Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
These cold-hardy crops are the backbone of an early spring garden, capable of withstanding light frosts and continuing to produce as temperatures slowly warm.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Another bonus is that the panels are also more elastic than a wooden frame, making the houses better capable of withstanding earthquakes.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Dussault loves incorporating soft, elevated-performance fabrics into cushions or upholstery to make outdoor seating feel more like indoor living while withstanding the elements.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
When Guthrie anchors the Today show on Easter Monday, a major break in the case withstanding, the Christian spillover-holiday will mark the 65th day since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
And while the song became an undeniable hit — withstanding years-long rumors and the test of time to this day — the naysayers weren't wrong.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Iran’s strategy widened the arena of conflict, thereby extending the conflict beyond mere military might and into the political and economic realms, with the aim of withstanding bombardment until the conflict becomes too costly for the belligerents to maintain.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The finished structure contains microscopic channels that allow heat to move efficiently while withstanding harsh operating environments.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026
These cold-hardy crops are the backbone of an early spring garden, capable of withstanding light frosts and continuing to produce as temperatures slowly warm.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Another bonus is that the panels are also more elastic than a wooden frame, making the houses better capable of withstanding earthquakes.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Dussault loves incorporating soft, elevated-performance fabrics into cushions or upholstery to make outdoor seating feel more like indoor living while withstanding the elements.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
When Guthrie anchors the Today show on Easter Monday, a major break in the case withstanding, the Christian spillover-holiday will mark the 65th day since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
And while the song became an undeniable hit — withstanding years-long rumors and the test of time to this day — the naysayers weren't wrong.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Iran’s strategy widened the arena of conflict, thereby extending the conflict beyond mere military might and into the political and economic realms, with the aim of withstanding bombardment until the conflict becomes too costly for the belligerents to maintain.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The finished structure contains microscopic channels that allow heat to move efficiently while withstanding harsh operating environments.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withstanding
Verb
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That philosophy shaped our decisions, ranging from pausing new business in some areas, reducing exposure in concentrated catastrophe-prone regions, and resisting pressure to chase growth, to selling our homebuilder distribution network in 2025.—
Richard McCathron,
Fortune,
25 May 2026
-
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson is signaling a shift on congressional redistricting after months of resisting efforts to redraw Maryland’s maps.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The largest labor union for city workers, the Municipal Employees Association, has spent more than $50,000 on mailers supporting her and opposing Bailey.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
But opposing him is Stagg, a Scottish, stick-in-the-mud academic (which is saying a lot by most weather men’s personality standards), who insists on making the team’s joint recommendation exclusively using the current observational data available to Allied forces.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withstanding. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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