Past Tense of Withstand
“Withstand” follows the pattern withstand → withstood → withstood. The same inflected form serves a finite simple-past clause and a past-participle construction; surrounding grammar identifies the role. The reviewed dictionaries record withstood for both past roles; do not invent an additional regular variant.
The simple past and past participle of “withstand” are both “withstood.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| completed action in simple past | withstood | Use “withstood.” |
| past participle after have/has/had | withstood | Use “withstood.” |
| present/base-form context | withstand | Use “withstand” when a past form is not required. |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “withstand”?
If yes: Use “withstood.”
If no: Use “withstand” or the appropriate present form when the sentence is not past.
Caveat: Both simple past and past participle are “withstood.” The reviewed dictionaries record withstood for both past roles; do not invent an additional regular variant.
Examples
The bridge withstood the storm.
“Withstood” is the simple past of “withstand.”
The material has withstood repeated testing.
“Withstood” is the past participle after “has.”
The coating can withstand high temperatures.
The base form is “withstand.”
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “withstood” for both the simple past and the past participle.
Fast Test
If the sentence needs a past form or participle, choose “withstood”; use “withstand” or the appropriate present form in present-time contexts.
Usage Boundary
Both simple past and past participle are “withstood.” The reviewed dictionaries record withstood for both past roles; do not invent an additional regular variant.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- WITHSTAND Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records withstood as the inflected past form of withstand.
- WITHSTAND | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records withstood as both the past tense and past participle of withstand.