withstand
verb
with·stand
with-ˈstand 
wit͟h-
withstood
with-ˈstu̇d
wit͟h-
; withstanding
1
a
: to stand up against : oppose with firm determination
especially
: to resist successfully
b
: to be proof against : resist the effect of
withstand the impact of a landing—
Current Biography
Current Biography2
archaic
: to stop or obstruct the course of
Examples of withstand in a Sentence
cookware that can withstand high temperatures
I couldn't withstand the rigors of army life.
They withstood attacks from many critics.
Recent Examples on the Web
The government launched a campaign to evaluate, retrofit or rebuild public buildings to enhance their ability to withstand stronger quakes, with schools being a priority.
—Wayne Chang, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The 660-ton pendulum hangs over 1,000 feet above the ground and allows the structure to withstand tremors and typhoon winds.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
And by locking down Dallas, Golden State withstood the stress test of an outstanding offensive team on the other side.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The book is made with thick, durable pages to withstand tiny hands, too.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Short-handed, yet never counted out No. 10 130-125 vs. Clippers
Nov. 1
The Lakers withstood 73 points from Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, got huge minutes from Christian Wood off their bench and beat their crosstown rivals for the first time since The Bubble season.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Indeed, no bridge pier can withstand being hit by a ship the size of the Dali, Benjamin W. Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering at Johns Hopkins University, told my colleagues this week.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge in fair condition, but the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024
Designed to withstand nearly 30 million pounds of force—two-thirds more than the Summit Venture’s impact on the bridge—the bumpers help protect the bridge by diverting wayward vessels.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
Wayne Chang, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
The 660-ton pendulum hangs over 1,000 feet above the ground and allows the structure to withstand tremors and typhoon winds.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
And by locking down Dallas, Golden State withstood the stress test of an outstanding offensive team on the other side.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
The book is made with thick, durable pages to withstand tiny hands, too.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024
Short-handed, yet never counted out No. 10 130-125 vs. Clippers
Nov. 1
The Lakers withstood 73 points from Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, got huge minutes from Christian Wood off their bench and beat their crosstown rivals for the first time since The Bubble season.
—Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Indeed, no bridge pier can withstand being hit by a ship the size of the Dali, Benjamin W. Schafer, a professor of civil and systems engineering at Johns Hopkins University, told my colleagues this week.
—Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge in fair condition, but the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 27 Mar. 2024
Designed to withstand nearly 30 million pounds of force—two-thirds more than the Summit Venture’s impact on the bridge—the bumpers help protect the bridge by diverting wayward vessels.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'withstand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near withstand
Cite this Entry
“Withstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withstand. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
withstand
verb
with·stand
with-ˈstand
wit͟h-
withstood
-ˈstu̇d
; withstanding
; withstanding
: to stand against : resist
especially
: to oppose successfully
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