Word Study
withstand
CIDE DICTIONARY
To stand against; to oppose; to resist, either with physical or moral force; as, to withstand an attack of troops; to withstand eloquence or arguments. Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]
"I withstood him to the face." [1913 Webster]
"Some village Hampden, that, with dauntless breast.
The little tyrant of his fields withstood." [1913 Webster]
The little tyrant of his fields withstood." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
withstand, v. (past and past part. -stood)
1 tr. oppose, resist, hold out against (a person, force, etc.).
2 intr. make opposition; offer resistance.
1 tr. oppose, resist, hold out against (a person, force, etc.).
2 intr. make opposition; offer resistance.
Derivative
withstander n.
Etymology
OE withstandan f. with- against (as WITH) + STAND
THESAURUS
withstand
be at cross-purposes, be proof against, bear, bear up, bear up against, buck, challenge, combat, complain, complain loudly, confront, contend with, contest, counter, counteract, countervail, counterwork, cross, defy, dispute, dissent, duel, endure, face down, face out, face up to, fight, front, go against, hold out, hold up, join the opposition, kick against, make a stand, meet head-on, not abide, object, offer resistance, oppose, play at cross-purposes, protest, rebuff, recalcitrate, reluct, remonstrate, repel, repulse, resist, revolt, run against, run counter to, show fight, stand, stand at bay, stand up, stand up against, stand up to, strive against, suffer, take issue with, tolerate, traverse, vote againstROGET THESAURUS
withstand
Opposition
VB oppose, counteract, run counter to, withstand, control, hinder, antagonize, oppugn, fly in the face of, go dead against, kick against, fall afoul of, run afoul of, set against, pit against, face, confront, cope with, make a stand, make a dead set against, set oneself against, set one's face against, protest against, vote against, raise one's voice against, disfavor, turn one's back upon, set at naught, slap in the face, slam the door in one's face, be at cross purposes, play at cross purposes, counterwork, countermine, thwart, overthwart, work against, undermine, stem, breast, encounter, stem the tide, breast the tide, stem the current, stem the flood, buffet the waves, beat up against, make head against, grapple with, kick against the pricks, contend, do battle with, do battle against, contradict, contravene, belie, go against, run against, beat against, militate against, come in conflict with, emulate, rival, spoil one's trade.Resistance
VB resist, not submit, repugn, reluct, reluctate, withstand, stand up against, strive against, bear up under, bear up against, be proof against, make head against, stand, stand firm, stand one's ground, stand the brunt of, stand out, hold one's grounds, hold one's own, hold out, hold firm, breast the wave, breast the current, stem the tide, stem the torrent, face, confront, grapple with, show a bold front, present a front, make a stand, take one's stand, kick, kick against, recalcitrate, kick against the pricks, oppose, fly in the face of, lift the hand against, rise up in arms, strike, turn out, draw up a round robin, revolt, make a riot, prendre le mors aux dents, take the bit between the teeth, sell one's life dearly, die hard, keep at bay, repel, repulse.Counteraction
VB counteract, run counter, clash, cross, interfere with, conflict with, contravene, jostle, go against, run against, beat against, militate against, stultify, antagonize, block, oppose, traverse, withstand, hinder, repress, react, undo, neutralize, counterpoise, overpoise.For further exploring for "withstand" in Webster Dictionary Online
