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 Videos collected by bystanders have popped up every day showing some of the raids. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025 Video and eyewitness accounts showed bystanders trying but failing to open the doors of the burning car to rescue an occupant. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 By that time, as described by witnesses and authorities, more than a dozen bystanders had exited their cars on foot toward the helicopter. Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2025 Videos taken by bystanders showed the wreckage lodged in palm trees near a hotel. Alyssa Pone, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025 Violence intervention teams at the scene attempted to keep things calm, as did other bystanders and family members. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Only one fire engine had been able to reach the crash at that point, Sylvia said, and the fire captain at the scene asked civilian bystanders to help lift part of the helicopter to free the victim. Phil Helsel, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025 Video circulating on social media and geolocated by CNN appeared to show armed police officers shouting instructions at bystanders and worshippers inside the synagogue while pointing their weapons at a person lying on the ground. Peter Wilkinson, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025 Keeton was heading toward Vasquez as backup when he got waved down by bystanders. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
  • Phone calls were made and spectators just started showing up, hoping to witness history, Kraye said.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Located in Santa Barbara County, Vandenberg has become well-known among spectators who are eager to see rockets thundering high into the sky.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The jacket was identified by public observers and Loro Piana was heavily criticized on social media for not condemning Putin.
    Steve Salter, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Political observers say Sheffield’s achievements are notable for a council member who was more progressive and radical in her ideas in a city with a strong-mayor form of government and law department that serves both the mayor and the council.
    Violet Ikonomova, Freep.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • However, since the announcement, discourse around who should and shouldn’t be given wings exposed just how stuck in the past some viewers still are.
    Essence, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The speaker of the House has made dozens of media appearances since, even appearing on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal to take calls from viewers, which a speaker hasn’t done in over two decades.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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