Thesaurus results for BYSTANDER

bystander

noun

ˈbī-ˌstan-dər

Definition of bystander

as in observer

someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of bystander 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 Rather than concentrating solely on those responsible, Terzić widens the circle to the classmates who were silent bystanders who never intervened. — Essie Assibu, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 The suspect, a 16-year-old male, was shot and killed by a bystander, police said. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Police have not yet released any information about the bystander who stopped the suspect, but the hero was identified by family as Kaylub Giamanco. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bystander

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystander

Noun

Coleman found instructive a 1938 ruling in favor of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who challenged a radio station that placed observers on a rooftop next to Forbes Field and paid them to provide play-by-play for an unauthorized radio broadcast.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
While international observers initially blamed Moscow for the blasts, investigators later found suggestions that Ukrainian state security agencies may have been involved — even though Ukraine counts Germany as one of its closest allies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of observer

Noun

Lutheran is required to complete a detailed Corrective Action Plan addressing game management, spectator conduct, staff training and school culture.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray described the shooting as a politically motivated act of violence carried out in front of children and hundreds of live spectators.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of spectator

Noun

Inspired by Ektachrome, a color-reversal film stock widely used during the 1970s, this presentation allows viewers to immerse themselves into the vivid colors and style of the 1973 Easter Island landscape.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Many viewers have told us, ‘Thank you for trusting us to read between the lines and for not hammering everything over our heads.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of viewer

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byroads

bystander

bystanders

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“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystander. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of bystander

noun

Example Sentences

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