Irregular verb
The verb to withstand
withstand → withstood → withstood
B2Meaning: to stay strong against a force; to deal with something hard · Type: irregular
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they withstand - Past Simple:
withstood(like stand → stood) - Past participle:
withstood - -ing form:
withstanding
Conjugation of the verb to withstand
Present Simple
| I | withstand |
| You | withstand |
| He / She / It | withstands |
| We | withstand |
| You (pl.) | withstand |
| They | withstand |
Past Simple
| I | withstood |
| You | withstood |
| He / She / It | withstood |
| We | withstood |
| You (pl.) | withstood |
| They | withstood |
All the forms of the verb to withstand
Present Simple
Full pagewithstand / withstands
“It withstands extreme temperatures.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are withstanding
“I am withstanding the cold right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagewithstood
“The house withstood the storm.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were withstanding
“I was withstanding the cold when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has withstood
“I have already withstood the cold.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad withstood
“She had already withstood the cold when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill withstand
“I will withstand the cold tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to withstand
“I'm going to withstand the cold this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould withstand
“I would withstand the cold if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to withstand
1. Withstanding a force
- The bridge withstood the earthquake.
2. Withstanding criticism (figurative)
Figurative meaning: to deal with something difficult, like criticism or pressure.
- She withstood criticism.
A common mistake
1. Withstanded ❌
Withstand works like stand: withstood in the Past Simple and the past participle. The house withstood the storm.
What's next?
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of withstand?+
The Past Simple of withstand is withstood. It works like stand → stood (withstand = with + stand). Withstand → withstood → withstood.
What is the difference between withstand and resist?+
Withstand = to stay strong against a force from outside (a storm, pressure, an attack). Resist = to fight against something, or to say no to something you want (often a temptation). The house withstood the storm. I can't resist cake.
What does notwithstanding mean?+
Notwithstanding (formal, legal) means despite. Notwithstanding the rain, we went out means we went out despite the rain. It is very formal and mostly written.
What does withstand the test of time mean?+
Withstand the test of time (idiom) means to stay good, useful or popular for a long time. Classic books withstand the test of time. People use it for works of art, ideas and objects that last.
Is it withstood or withstanded?+
Always withstood. Withstand = with + stand, so it follows the irregular verb stand. Withstanded does not exist.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/withstand
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.