withstand
C1Formal and Technical
Definition
Meaning
To resist, endure, or remain undamaged against a force, pressure, attack, or difficult condition.
To successfully oppose, survive, or hold out against something challenging or hostile without giving in or being destroyed. It implies resilience and strength.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word strongly implies active resistance and successful endurance. It is transitive and typically takes an object representing the hostile force (e.g., withstand pressure, an attack). It is not used for passive suffering without the connotation of resistance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Equally formal and used in similar contexts (engineering, legal, military, figurative) in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English in certain technical registers (e.g., product specifications: 'withstands temperatures up to...'), but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: Subject + withstand + object (force/condition)transitive passive: Object + be + withstood (+ by agent)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Withstand the test of time”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company's robust finances allowed it to withstand the market downturn."
Academic
"The hypothesis did not withstand rigorous peer review."
Everyday
"These boots are designed to withstand harsh winter conditions."
Technical
"The alloy can withstand tensile stresses exceeding 500 MPa."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ancient castle has withstood sieges for centuries.
- This fabric can withstand repeated washing.
American English
- The structure is built to withstand a category 5 hurricane.
- His argument couldn't withstand the lawyer's cross-examination.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This glass is very strong.
- The old tree withstood the strong storm.
- Good friendships can withstand small arguments.
- The bridge was engineered to withstand extreme earthquakes.
- Few politicians can withstand constant media scrutiny.
- The ceasefire agreement has, thus far, withstood attempts to undermine it.
- Her reputation as a scholar will withstand the test of time.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of **WITH + STAND**. You are standing WITH your ground, not giving it up against an opposing force.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESISTANCE IS STANDING FIRM. The word conceptualizes challenge as a force pushing against a stationary, strong object (the subject).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'выстоять с' (which is ungrammatical). The correct equivalents are 'выдержать', 'противостоять', 'устоять перед'.
- Do not confuse with 'understand'. 'Withstand' is about resistance, not comprehension.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He withstood.' – incorrect; needs an object).
- Confusing it with 'withdraw'.
- Using it for emotional suffering without the nuance of active resistance (e.g., 'He withstood his grief' is less idiomatic than 'He endured his grief').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'withstand' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered formal or technical. In everyday speech, words like 'stand', 'handle', 'resist', or 'put up with' are more common.
The past tense and past participle are both 'withstood'. For example: 'They withstood the attack.' / 'The attack was withstood.'
Yes. It can be used for physical objects (e.g., materials that withstand heat) and for abstract entities like people, systems, or ideas (e.g., withstand criticism, pressure).
While similar, 'withstand' emphasizes successful resistance against an *external* force or attack. 'Endure' has a broader focus on suffering through something difficult (pain, hardship) over time, with less emphasis on active opposition.