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
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
About eight teens could be seen throwing punches and hurling restaurant furniture at one another as innocent bystanders huddled for safety in a corner of the establishment.
—
Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
Four innocent bystanders were also hit by gunfire—each was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Arriving officers were flagged down by witnesses and bystanders, pointing them to Johnson nearby.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Chris Briggs, a neighbor, said several bystanders stepped in to help before first responders arrived at the scene, according to WCVB and WFXT.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bystander
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Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026
Four innocent bystanders were also hit by gunfire—each was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Arriving officers were flagged down by witnesses and bystanders, pointing them to Johnson nearby.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Chris Briggs, a neighbor, said several bystanders stepped in to help before first responders arrived at the scene, according to WCVB and WFXT.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bystander
Cite this Entry
“Bystander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bystander. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bystander
noun
by·stand·er
-ˌstan-dər
: a person standing near but taking no part in what is happening
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