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
Synonyms
- observer
- onlooker
- spectator
- viewer
- watcher
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Two innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting. bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging
Recent Examples on the Web The bystander-shot video sparked an internal investigation, which led the JPSO to suspend Alvarado without pay for a week and put him on probation for a year. 
Gordon Russell, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 That didn’t mean anything on its own, however, because SCUBE3 could’ve just been a bystander molecule. WIRED, 8 Sep. 2022 Investigators used statements from the group of Dutch soldiers and other witnesses, video from a bystander and surveillance video to identify Duncan as the suspect in the deadly shooting, according to the probable cause affidavit for his arrest. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2022 Investigators used statements from the surviving soldiers, witnesses, video from a bystander and surveillance video to identify Duncan as the shooting suspect, according to the affidavit. Arleigh Rodgers, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The grand jury cited analyses by the Los Angeles Times in 2015 showing that LAPD car chases have led to bystander injuries and deaths at a higher rate than pursuits in the rest of the state. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2022 Child pulled from a pool, w/bystander Crews arrived taking over care from family. Breanne Kovatch, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 In the footage, the man who was shot is lying on his side as a bystander administers first aid; the woman who was shot is sitting up on the ground as a female officer performs first aid. Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 Another bystander administered Narcan, an overdose-reversing medication, after police arrived. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
Gordon Russell, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 That didn’t mean anything on its own, however, because SCUBE3 could’ve just been a bystander molecule. WIRED, 8 Sep. 2022 Investigators used statements from the group of Dutch soldiers and other witnesses, video from a bystander and surveillance video to identify Duncan as the suspect in the deadly shooting, according to the probable cause affidavit for his arrest. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Sep. 2022 Investigators used statements from the surviving soldiers, witnesses, video from a bystander and surveillance video to identify Duncan as the shooting suspect, according to the affidavit. Arleigh Rodgers, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 The grand jury cited analyses by the Los Angeles Times in 2015 showing that LAPD car chases have led to bystander injuries and deaths at a higher rate than pursuits in the rest of the state. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2022 Child pulled from a pool, w/bystander Crews arrived taking over care from family. Breanne Kovatch, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 In the footage, the man who was shot is lying on his side as a bystander administers first aid; the woman who was shot is sitting up on the ground as a female officer performs first aid. Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Aug. 2022 Another bystander administered Narcan, an overdose-reversing medication, after police arrived. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1584, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
bystander
noun
by·stand·er ˈbī-ˌstan-dər
: a person present or standing near but taking no part in what is going on
bystanders
noun
as in spectators
someone who sees or watches something bystanders rushed to help the victim of the mugging Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- spectators
- observers
- viewers
- onlookers
- witnesses
- eyewitnesses
- watchers
- spies
- voyeurs
- peepers