withstand

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /wɪðˈstænd/ UK /wɪðˈstænd/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to resist or endure successfully without giving way

The bridge was built to withstand the strongest gales.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to resist or endure... resist endure oppose weather tolerate bear brave

Opposites

yield surrender succumb capitulate

Word family

Related forms with stand understand

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

withstand wear
to endure prolonged use without deteriorating significantly

Verb + noun

Etymology

From Old English wiþstandan ('to resist, oppose'), a compound of wiþ ('against') + standan ('to stand'), thus literally 'to stand against'.

wiþ Old English standan Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# withstand

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /wɪðˈstænd/
**IPA (UK):** /wɪðˈstænd/

## Meanings
1. to resist or endure successfully without giving way

## Examples
- The bridge was built to withstand the strongest gales.

## Synonyms
- resist
- endure
- oppose
- weather
- tolerate
- bear
- brave

## Antonyms
- yield
- surrender
- succumb
- capitulate

## Related Forms
- with
- stand
- understand

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: wiþ
- Root: standan

## Etymology
From Old English wiþstandan ('to resist, oppose'), a compound of wiþ ('against') + standan ('to stand'), thus literally 'to stand against'.

## AI Etymology
Withstand is a verb meaning "to resist or endure successfully without giving way". Historically, it is from Old English wiþstandan ('to resist, oppose'), a compound of wiþ ('against') + standan ('to stand'), thus literally 'to stand against'. The visible construction is part of the etymology: withstand is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Old English wiþ with Old English standan. Close English family members include with, stand, and understand.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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