spectator

A spectator is someone who watches an event without participating in it. They might sit in the stands at a game or concert.

When people talk about being spectators, they often mean that they're watching something happen from the sidelines. For example, if you're at a protest and not actively joining in, you could be described as a spectator. The same thing applies to a sports game – some fans might just watch the action without cheering or playing themselves. Even online, people can behave like spectators by reading comments on social media about a big event but not contributing their own thoughts.