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
Fishermen’s, which is now designed to withstand the wind speeds of a Category 5 hurricane, offers specialized services such as 24/7 emergency care with nine emergency department beds.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
The Nets closed the game on a 10-2 run, but Golden State withstood the storm, completing their comeback and avenging a Nov. 25 loss to Brooklyn in San Francisco.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Organizations can address the quantum threats of today and tomorrow by transitioning to post-quantum cryptography that can withstand quantum attacks.
—Anurag Lal, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The incumbent mayor has withstood pressure to resign and his criminal case may ultimately get dropped due to a directive from top Department of Justice officials.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withstand
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.
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
The Nets closed the game on a 10-2 run, but Golden State withstood the storm, completing their comeback and avenging a Nov. 25 loss to Brooklyn in San Francisco.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Organizations can address the quantum threats of today and tomorrow by transitioning to post-quantum cryptography that can withstand quantum attacks.
—Anurag Lal, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
The incumbent mayor has withstood pressure to resign and his criminal case may ultimately get dropped due to a directive from top Department of Justice officials.
—Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withstand
Cite this Entry
“Withstand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withstand. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
withstand
verb
with·stand
with-ˈstand
wit͟h-
withstood
-ˈstu̇d
; withstanding
; withstanding
: to stand against : resist
especially
: to oppose successfully
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share