bystanders

plural of bystander
as in spectators
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 bystanders Three bystanders injured in a firefight in the Home Depot parking lot. — Patricia Murphy, AJC.com, 5 Oct. 2026 Additional video appeared to show bystanders rushing toward the scene to detain the suspect, who was outside the camera's view. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 The attacker was injured as bystanders detained her at the scene, police said. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 The moments leading up to the shooting were captured by bystanders as well as Ross, a 10-year ICE veteran, whose cellphone video starts with him in front of Good’s burgundy SUV. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 The woman then walked to a nearby gas station where bystanders helped her and notified police. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 The victim fell to the ground and stopped breathing and had to have CPR performed by bystanders, the report says. — Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026 The verbal altercation turned physical when the 82-year-old allegedly struck the young woman in the face, prompting the younger man and other bystanders to retaliate, witnesses told the BBC. — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The bystanders begin trying to help the man and call Evanston police. — Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 22 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
  • Having the airport closed meant more space for balloons and spectators.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The giant pumpkin competition will take place Saturday, with pumpkins weighing more than a ton weighed in front of spectators throughout the day, according to the release.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Industry observers who might have been optimistic in January now sound a lot more sour.
    — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Netanyahu and his party, Likud, are not ahead in most mainstream polls, and yet most observers of any credibility agree that damn near anything could happen, especially given Israel’s complicated parliamentary arrangements and wild array of parties.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The reason for that is the unquenching market need for solid factual projects that can both be popular on linear channels and drive older viewers to streaming services.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t viewers deserve to hear how Ted, our hero, explains a sensitive subject to his 16-year-old son?
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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