withstand

withstand — verb

1. to remain in good condition or continue to work properly when exposed to somethi

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to remain in good condition or continue to work properly when exposed to something physically harsh, such as extreme weather, great pressure, heavy use, or strong chemicals

Example

The old stone bridge has withstood centuries of harsh weather and flooding.

collocation: withstand + weather / natural forces

Indra's new watch is designed to withstand pressure up to 200 metres underwater.

pattern: withstand + up to + measurement

Common collocations
  • withstand pressure
  • withstand heat
  • withstand the elements
  • withstand wear and tear
  • withstand an earthquake
Synonyms
  • resist

    Broader — can be used for both physical and non-physical opposition; often implies effort rather than guaranteed success

  • endure

    Focuses on lasting through hardship rather than remaining undamaged; may involve suffering

  • survive

    Emphasises not being destroyed, but possible damage is allowed

  • weather

    Idiomatic, specifically for coming through a difficult period safely

Antonyms
  • collapse

    Fails under pressure — opposite of remaining intact

  • give way

    Breaks or bends under force — opposite of holding firm

Grammar Patterns

withstand + noun phrase (the challenging force)

Usage Note

Subject is typically an object, material, building, or piece of equipment being tested against physical stress. The object of 'withstand' is the challenging force itself, not the thing being protected.

Common Mistakes

The building withstood heavy damage in the earthquake.
The building withstood the earthquake with only minor cracks.
'withstand' means to resist successfully; a structure cannot 'withstand' and take 'heavy damage' at the same time.
This coat withstood me from the cold.
This coat protected me from the cold.
'withstand' does not mean 'protect someone from'; its object is the hazard, not the person.

2. to successfully oppose or refuse to give in to something such as criticism, temp

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to successfully oppose or refuse to give in to something such as criticism, temptation, an attack, or social pressure — for example, a small company withstanding competition from larger rivals, or a politician withstanding public scrutiny

Example

The small company has withstood intense competition from much larger firms for years.

collocation: withstand + competition

Christopher's argument did not withstand careful examination by the review committee.

common pattern: does/did not withstand + scrutiny/examination

Common collocations
  • withstand criticism
  • withstand scrutiny
  • withstand temptation
  • withstand an attack
  • withstand legal challenges
  • withstand the test of time
Synonyms
  • resist

    Closest synonym; can be transitive or intransitive, and covers both physical and abstract opposition

  • stand up to

    Phrasal verb with a stronger sense of courage or moral conviction

  • defy

    More dramatic; implies open, deliberate refusal to obey or submit

  • weather

    Informal; focuses on surviving a difficult period rather than active opposition

Antonyms
  • surrender

    Capitulating — opposite of withstanding

  • yield

    Giving in — often used for arguments or pressure

  • succumb

    Formal; to fail to resist temptation, disease, or attack

Grammar Patterns

withstand + noun phrase (the opposing force)

Usage Note

Object is typically an abstract opposing force — criticism, scrutiny, temptation, pressure, an argument, or an attack. Unlike 'resist', which can be used intransitively ('She resisted.'), 'withstand' is always transitive and requires a direct object.

Common Mistakes

She withstood her homework for three hours.
She slogged through her homework for three hours.
'withstand' is not used for general endurance of routine tasks; it implies active resistance against a significant opposing force.
The politician withstood against the accusations.
The politician withstood the accusations.
'withstand' takes a direct object; do not add 'against'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

All four words describe not giving in, but they differ in intensity, scope, and register. 'Resist' is the broadest — it works for physical force, temptation, and opposition ('The rebels resisted the government for months') and can be transitive or intransitive. 'Withstand' is more specific: it always implies successful resistance against something that tests one's strength. 'Stand up to' carries a strong sense of moral courage in the face of a powerful opponent ('She stood up to the bullying manager'). 'Defy' is the most dramatic and deliberate — it suggests open, often defiant refusal ('The student defied the school dress code on purpose'). 'Weather' is informal and suggests surviving a stormy period passively rather than actively fighting ('The company weathered the economic downturn'). For everyday opposition, use 'resist' or 'withstand'; for courage against authority, use 'stand up to'; for dramatic refusal, use 'defy'. For example: 'The old tree resisted the storm' vs 'The old tree withstood the storm' (the second guarantees it came through intact).

resist ↗stand up to ↗defy ↗weather ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be able to withstand
  • be designed to withstand
  • fail to withstand
  • be built to withstand

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Withstand' comes from Old English 'withstandan', where 'with' meant 'against' and 'standan' meant 'to stand'. So the original image was literally 'to stand against' someone or something. It is related to Old Norse 'viðstanda' and German 'widerstehen', which have the same structure. The sense has stayed remarkably stable for over a thousand years — still meaning 'to stand firm against opposition or force.'