withstanding

ADJECTIVE

defensive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

opposing

STRONG

averting conservative foiling forestalling preservative preventive thwarting

WEAK

arresting balking checking coping with defending frustrating guarding in opposition interrupting protecting resistive safeguarding uptight warding off

Antonyms

WEAK

undefensive unprotective unwary unwatchful

ADJECTIVE

on guard

Synonyms

WEAK

alert averting cautious checking defending expectant guarding preservative preventive protecting safeguarding vigilant warding off watchful

ADJECTIVE

recalcitrant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fractious obstinate rebellious unruly wayward

WEAK

contrary contumacious defiant indomitable insubmissive insubordinate intractable opposing radical refractory resistant resisting stubborn undisciplinable undisciplined ungovernable unmanageable untoward unwilling wild willful

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreeable compliant manageable obedient yielding

WEAK

amenable passive

ADJECTIVE

tough

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hard healthy resilient solid stiff tenacious tight vigorous

STRONG

firm fit hardy stalwart stout

WEAK

brawny cohesive conditioned dense durable fibrous flinty hard as nails hard-bitten hardened indigestible inflexible leathery lusty mighty molded resistant rigid robust rugged seasoned sinewy steeled strapping tough as nails unbreakable unyielding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

slack soft weak

WEAK

delicate fragile unstable vulnerable wobbly

NOUN

endurance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ability capacity courage fortitude grit mettle patience perseverance persistence stamina strength tenacity tolerance vitality

STRONG

allowance backbone bearing cool coolness guts gutsiness heart moxie pertinacity pluck resignation resistance resolution restraint spunk standing starch submission sufferance suffering toleration will

WEAK

continuing enduring forebearance holding up intestinal fortitude undergoing

Antonyms

STRONGEST

apathy cowardice idleness impotence inability incompetence indifference indolence intolerance lack laziness lethargy timidity weakness

STRONG

compliance fear resistance

WEAK

end fleetingness

NOUN

imperviousness

Synonyms

STRONG

battle blocking check combat contention counteraction cover defiance detention fight friction hindrance holding immunity impedance impediment intransigence obstruction protection rebuff refusal retardation safeguard screen shield stand struggle support unsusceptibility watch

WEAK

halting impeding insusceptibility parrying protecting striking back warding off

Antonyms

STRONG

aid assistance harm help hurt injury liberation peace promotion truce

NOUN

insusceptibility

Synonyms

WEAK

battle blocking check combat contention counteraction cover defiance detention fight friction halting hindrance holding immunity impedance impediment impeding imperviousness intransigence obstruction parrying protecting protection rebuff refusal retardation safeguard screen shield stand striking back struggle support unsusceptibility warding off watch

NOUN

renitence

Synonyms

WEAK

battle blocking check combat contention counteraction cover defiance detention fight friction halting hindrance holding impedance impediment impeding intransigence obstruction opposition parrying protecting protection rebuff refusal renitency retardation safeguard screen shield stand striking back struggle support warding off watch

NOUN

renitency

Synonyms

WEAK

battle blocking check combat contention counteraction cover defiance detention fight friction halting hindrance holding impedance impediment impeding intransigence obstruction opposition parrying protecting protection rebuff refusal renitence retardation safeguard screen shield stand striking back struggle support warding off watch

NOUN

resistance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

battle defiance fight intransigence protection refusal struggle support

STRONG

blocking check combat contention counteraction cover detention friction hindrance holding impedance impediment obstruction rebuff retardation safeguard screen shield stand watch

WEAK

halting impeding parrying protecting striking back warding off

Antonyms

STRONG

aid assistance help liberation peace promotion

WEAK

compliance conforming cooperation submission

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But credit Fitzpatrick for withstanding last Sunday's charge from the American four-time major champion.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Critical to withstanding pressure from the Middle East war is a long-term push by Beijing to ensure energy security, which experts say is now bearing fruit.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

The Ukrainian president is the same as ever—steadfast, with a nervous system that seems fireproof and capable of withstanding anything.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Investors have been fleeing the AI trade—not withstanding a dramatic upsurge today—with one exception: data center real estate investment trusts.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

The Mir Space Station wasn’t the first or only space station to orbit Earth, but it was the longest-lasting one, withstanding 15 years and 86,000 orbits.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson

withstanding

Example Sentences

Related Words