Withstand Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Published on March 11, 2024
Withstand means to resist or endure successfully against force, pressure, or adversity. e.g., The ancient fortress was built to withstand sieges.
Table of Contents
Withstand Definitions
To resist effectively without succumbing.
The materials used in the construction can withstand extreme temperatures.
To oppose or stand firm against challenges.
The community withstood the economic downturn with remarkable resilience.
To sustain without impairment or yielding.
The athlete's training helped him withstand the physical demands of the race.
To endure or bear without giving way.
The old bridge couldn't withstand the weight of heavy trucks.
To remain unaffected or undamaged by.
The coating makes the surface withstand corrosion.
To hold out against an attack or assault.
The soldiers withstood the enemy's onslaught for hours.
To maintain one's position or opinion in the face of opposition.
She withstood criticism and continued her research.
To survive or persist through adverse conditions.
Only the hardiest plants can withstand the desert's harsh climate.
To tolerate or cope with stress or pressure.
He's proven to withstand stress better than most of his colleagues.
To counteract or defend against effectively.
The vaccine is designed to help the body withstand the virus.
To resist or oppose with determined effort
The soldiers withstood the attack.
To be undamaged or unaffected by
The house withstood the storm.
To resist or endure successfully.
(transitive) To resist or endure (something) successfully.
To oppose (something) forcefully.
To stand against; to oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral force; as, to withstand an attack of troops; to withstand eloquence or arguments.
I withstood him to the face.
Some village Hampden, that, with dauntless breast.The little tyrant of his fields withstood.
Resist or confront with resistance;
The politician defied public opinion
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
The bridge held
Stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
Withstand Snonyms
Survive
To continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.
Only the strongest plants survived the drought.
Resist
To withstand the action or effect of.
The material can resist high temperatures.
Sustain
To undergo or suffer (a wound, loss, or damage).
The bridge sustained significant damage from the flood.
Bear
To carry; to support or hold up; to endure.
She bore the weight of the heavy load gracefully.
Counter
To oppose or defend against.
The team countered the opposition's tactics effectively.
Endure
To suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently.
It's amazing how he endured the pain.
Tolerate
To allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without hindrance or objection.
I cannot tolerate dishonesty.
Defy
To resist openly and boldly.
He defied the odds and succeeded.
Hold out against
To remain strong or resilient in the face of adversity or difficulty.
The city held out against the siege for months.
Combat
To fight or contend against; oppose vigorously.
The system is designed to combat corruption.
Withstand Idioms & Phrases
Withstand the weight of
To bear a heavy burden or responsibility.
The ancient pillars were constructed to withstand the weight of the massive structure.
Withstand the storm
To survive through difficult or tumultuous times.
The small business withstood the storm of the economic crisis.
Stand firm and withstand
To remain resolute and endure challenges.
In the face of adversity, you need to stand firm and withstand.
Withstand the pressure
To remain calm and effective under stressful conditions.
Despite the tight deadline, the team withstood the pressure and delivered excellent results.
Withstand the impact
To remain intact or unharmed after a forceful encounter.
The vehicle's safety features are designed to withstand the impact of a collision.
Withstand comparison
To remain favorable even when compared to others.
Her performance can withstand comparison with the very best in the field.
Withstand the heat
To manage or endure intense scrutiny or pressure.
If you want to be a leader, you must be able to withstand the heat.
Withstand the test of time
To remain useful or valued over a long period.
The classic novel has withstood the test of time.
Built to withstand
Designed or made durable enough to endure specific conditions.
This outdoor gear is built to withstand harsh weather.
Weather the storm and withstand
To endure or survive through very difficult circumstances.
Together, they were able to weather the storm and withstand the challenges.
Withstand scrutiny
To endure close and critical examination.
His argument was solid and withstood scrutiny from experts.
Withstand the barrage
To endure a rapid, intense, or prolonged attack.
The city's defenses were able to withstand the barrage of attacks during the siege.
Withstand the gaze
To endure being the focus of attention or observation.
The artwork is stunning and can withstand the gaze of even the most critical eyes.
Withstand the charge
To hold one's ground against an aggressive advance or attack.
The fortress was strategically designed to withstand the charge of invading forces.
Withstand the shock
To endure a sudden and disturbing event or revelation.
The company's structure was robust enough to withstand the shock of the CEO's sudden resignation.
Withstand the odds
To succeed or survive despite very low chances.
Against all odds, the underdog team withstood the challenges and won the championship.
Withstand the blow
To endure a setback or difficulty without giving up.
The team withstood the blow of losing their star player and still performed well.
Withstand criticism
To endure negative assessments or comments without being affected.
It's important to withstand criticism and use it constructively to improve.
Withstand the waves
To remain stable or unbroken amidst turbulent or challenging conditions.
The lighthouse is built to withstand the waves and storms at sea.
Withstand the force
To resist physical power or strength exerted against something.
The bridge's engineering allows it to withstand the force of the river's current.
Withstand Example Sentences
They built the sea wall to withstand storm surges.
This type of glass can withstand sudden temperature changes.
The structure must be reinforced to withstand an earthquake.
The new roofing material is engineered to withstand high winds.
These fabrics are treated to withstand stains and spills.
The company has withstood many challenges over the years.
The athlete's endurance training enabled him to withstand the marathon's challenges.
The firewall is designed to withstand cyber attacks.
The paint is guaranteed to withstand fading from sunlight.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in withstand?
The stressed syllable in withstand is the second one: with-STAND.
How many syllables are in withstand?
Withstand has two syllables.
Why is it called withstand?
Withstand comes from the Old English 'wiðstandan', where 'wið' means 'against' and 'standan' means 'to stand', reflecting the act of standing against or resisting something.
How is withstand used in a sentence?
Withstand is often used to describe enduring or resisting something difficult or powerful, e.g., The materials used must withstand extreme conditions.
What is the pronunciation of withstand?
Withstand is pronounced as /wɪθˈstænd/.
What is the first form of withstand?
The first form of withstand is "withstand" (present tense).
What is the verb form of withstand?
Withstand itself is a verb. Its other forms are withstands, withstanding, withstood.
What is the second form of withstand?
The second form of withstand is "withstood" (past tense).
How do we divide withstand into syllables?
Withstand is divided as with-stand.
What is the root word of withstand?
The root of withstand comes from the Old English 'wiðstandan', meaning to resist or oppose.
What is the third form of withstand?
The third form of withstand is "withstood" (past participle).
What part of speech is withstand?
Withstand is a verb.
What is the plural form of withstand?
Withstand does not have a plural form, but its third person singular present tense is "withstands."
Is withstand an adverb?
No, withstand is not an adverb.
Is withstand a noun or adjective?
Withstand is a verb.
Is the word withstand Gerund?
"Withstanding" can be a gerund when used as a noun.
What is the singular form of withstand?
The singular form is "withstand."
Is withstand an abstract noun?
No, withstand is a verb, not a noun. However, "withstandability" can be considered an abstract noun.
Is withstand a negative or positive word?
Withstand is neutral; it describes the ability to endure or resist, which can be viewed in a positive light in contexts of strength and resilience.
Is withstand a vowel or consonant?
The word withstand starts with a consonant 'w'.
Is withstand a collective noun?
No, withstand is not a collective noun.
What is another term for withstand?
Another term for withstand could be "resist" or "endure."
What is the opposite of withstand?
The opposite of withstand could be "succumb" or "yield."
Is the word “withstand” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Withstand can be used with direct objects, e.g., "The structure withstood the storm."
Which determiner is used with withstand?
Determiners are not typically used directly with verbs like withstand; however, they can be used with the noun form, e.g., "a great capacity to withstand."
Which preposition is used with withstand?
Prepositions such as "against", "to", and "from" can be used with withstand, depending on the context.
Which conjunction is used with withstand?
Conjunctions like "and", "but", "or", "while", etc., can be used in complex sentences involving withstand.
Which article is used with withstand?
Articles are not typically used directly with verbs like withstand; however, they can be used with the noun form, e.g., "the ability to withstand."
Is withstand a countable noun?
Withstand is a verb, not a noun, so it is not countable.
Is the withstand term a metaphor?
Withstand can be used metaphorically to describe enduring or resisting non-physical challenges.
Is the word withstand imperative?
Withstand can be used in an imperative form, e.g., "Withstand the pressure and keep moving forward."
Which vowel is used before withstand?
The vowel used before withstand depends on the context and the preceding word, e.g., "an ability to withstand" when used in a sentence.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
