bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er ˈbī-ˌstan-dər How to pronounce bystander (audio)
Synonyms of bystander
: one who is present but not taking part in a situation or event : a chance spectator
innocent bystanders who were injured in the shooting

Synonyms of bystander

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Examples of bystander in a Sentence

Two innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting. bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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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.
Three children and a teacher were gunned down Thursday afternoon in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, and the 16-year-old suspect was fatally shot by an armed bystander, according to police. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026 Authorities said no other passengers or bystanders were injured in the incident. — Nicole Alarcon, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 It was recast by two local foundry workers, John Pass and John Stow, not once but twice, because the first recast produced a sound that one bystander likened to coal scuttles banging together. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026 In one district, bystanders rescued a woman who was being swept down a street by the floodwaters, footage obtained by NTV television showed. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bystander

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bystander was in 1584

Rhymes for bystander

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Browse Nearby Words

by-stake
bystander
by step
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Cite this Entry

“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bystander

noun
by·​stand·​er -ˌstan-dər How to pronounce bystander (audio)
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening
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