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

The Football Association, still commonly described as English football’s governing body, has become content to be a mere bystander. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Two more people, an innocent bystander and a suspect, were killed last month. —Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025

When police searched the pharmacy, officers found other bystanders who were sheltering in place inside the store, according to the release. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

The bystander sustained an injury to his leg and was taken to the hospital. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 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