wə̇thˈstand, with-, -aa(ə)nd transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English withstanden, withstonden, from Old English withstandan, from with (I) + standan to stand — more at stand
1.
a. : to stand up against : offer opposition to : resist ; especially : to make a successful stand against
the first vertebrate I have ever known to withstand the army ants — William Beebe
capable of withstanding a prolonged infantry siege — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
having withstood the pressure of her parents — Rose Macaulay
b. : to be proof against the pressure, impact, or effect of : be unaffected by
looks well built to withstand work and worry — R.M.Yoder
withstand the drying up during the summer of the shallow ponds where it frequently lives — W.H.Dowdeswell
c. : to resist yielding to the attraction or influence of : forbear
the questionable capacity of most men, including himself, to withstand temptation — Laura Krey
2. archaic : to stop or obstruct the course of : stand in the way of
intransitive verb
: to make resistance : oppose , resist
was firm, withstood, refused — Robert Browning
Synonyms: see contest