Withstand

Meaning

Withstand means to successfully resist something difficult, harmful, or powerful without being damaged, defeated, or affected by it.

Pronunciation

/wɪðˈstænd/

Word Forms

• Base form: withstand
• Past tense: withstood
• Past participle: withstood
• Present participle: withstanding

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• withstand pressure — to remain strong despite pressure.
• withstand the test of time — to remain successful, useful, or respected for a long period.
• withstand criticism — to remain unaffected by criticism.
• withstand the impact — to resist the force of an impact.
• withstand extreme conditions — to remain functional or intact under difficult conditions.
• withstand temptation — to resist the desire to do something.

Example Sentences

• The building was designed to withstand strong winds.
• She managed to withstand the pressure of the competition.
• This material can withstand extremely high temperatures.
• The old bridge has withstood decades of heavy traffic.
• He could not withstand the temptation to look inside.

Literary Example

Example:

“No one can withstand the charm of such a mystery.”

— Jane Austen, Persuasion

Here, withstand means to resist or remain unaffected by something powerful. Austen uses the word figuratively: the mystery is so attractive that no one can resist its charm.

Story Workshop

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