as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something
bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
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Recent Examples of bystanders
Martin and Payton each face three murder counts in the shooting deaths of bystanders Yamile Martinez, 21; Johntaya Alexander, 21; and Melinda Davis, 57.
—
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
With one quick push of a button, BLINGSTING Safety Alarms ear-piercing 125-decibel personal alarm sounds, intended to startle an aggressor and immediately alert bystanders that there’s a problem.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities said bystanders began CPR before first responders arrived, and rescue crews spent more than an hour freeing one person trapped in the wreckage.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
The driver was able to get out of the vehicle with minor injuries with the help of bystanders.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Plus, requesters would have to identify by name everyone in the photos or videos, possibly including bystanders.
—David Wickert, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Security forces, private contractors and self-defense groups have also been at fault, hitting bystanders with stray bullets and explosive drones.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
No officers or bystanders were injured.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
The man is later seen lying motionless on the street as bystanders and police attempt to wake him.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2026
With one quick push of a button, BLINGSTING Safety Alarms ear-piercing 125-decibel personal alarm sounds, intended to startle an aggressor and immediately alert bystanders that there’s a problem.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Authorities said bystanders began CPR before first responders arrived, and rescue crews spent more than an hour freeing one person trapped in the wreckage.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
The driver was able to get out of the vehicle with minor injuries with the help of bystanders.
—Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Plus, requesters would have to identify by name everyone in the photos or videos, possibly including bystanders.
—David Wickert, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Security forces, private contractors and self-defense groups have also been at fault, hitting bystanders with stray bullets and explosive drones.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
No officers or bystanders were injured.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026
The man is later seen lying motionless on the street as bystanders and police attempt to wake him.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bystanders
Noun
-
Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to descend on the Space Coast this week for a chance to witness something that has not happened since last century.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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With 5,200 delegates at the Series Mania Forum, its industry area, and 110,000 spectators, 2026’s edition did nothing to dent the status of Series Mania as Europe’s biggest and most important TV festival.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Indeed, attempts to muffle criticism have backfired, some observers believe.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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All that instability, observers and advocates say, make the presence of outside observers even more important.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The signage lets viewers know it is made from silk chiffon and embroidered with bugle beads.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
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Therefore, viewers will see vitality, enthusiasm, passion for life, hope … something uplifting and useful.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bystanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bystanders. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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