bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er ˈbī-ˌstan-dər 

: one who is present but not taking part in a situation or event : a chance spectator

innocent bystanders who were injured in the shooting

Synonyms

• observer
• onlooker
• spectator
• viewer
• watcher

Examples of bystander in a Sentence

Two innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting.

bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging

Recent Examples on the Web

In January, an innocent bystander was killed in a shootout in the Walmart parking lot. —Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025

On July 22 at around 3:30 p.m., Perry, Williams, Flowers and an unnamed 16-year-old went to the Patterson Houses on E. 145th St. and fired at least nine shots, striking two bystanders—a 67-year old man who was hit in the leg and a 30-year-old NYCHA worker who was hit in the arm. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025

But the ones who suffer most of all are the innocent bystanders. —Orlando Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2025

Eventually, two bystanders wrestled Colombano to the ground and held him until Santa Rosa officers arrived, officials said. —Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bystander

• commander
• expander
• highlander
• leander
• meander
• philander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander
• hander

Kids Definition

bystander

noun

by·​stand·​er -ˌstan-dər 

: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening