2
: performed in, performing in, or requiring a standing position
a stand-up bar
especially
: of, relating to, performing, or being a monologue of jokes, gags, or satirical comments delivered usually while standing alone on a stage or in front of a camera
stand-up comedy
a stand-up comedian
3
: marked by a high degree of personal integrity or loyalty
a stand-up guy
1
: stand-up comedy
also
: a performer of such comedy
2
: a television broadcast in which the reporter or narrator faces the camera with the scene of the story in the background
stood up; standing up; stands up
1
: to rise to a standing position
2
: to remain sound and intact under stress, attack, or close scrutiny
: to fail to keep an appointment with
Synonyms
Examples of stand-up in a Sentence
Adjective
a real stand-up guy, he's willing to raise the child—by himself if necessary
a puppy with stand-up ears
Verb
a hypothesis that won't stand up to close analysis
Recent Examples on the Web
Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
The Arkansas River fills with snowmelt in late spring and early summer, creating a whitewater playground for rafters, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders.
—Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 21 May 2024
For a bit more nature, head to Carolina Beach State Park (home to the Venus flytrap) to try your hand at kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
Cracking jokes should be no problem for Stewart, who got his start as a stand-up comedian before branching out to television as a host.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
Enjoy a full episode screening and discussion centering on the creative process and collaborative work in bringing this 3-part stand-up comedy docuseries to life.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 May 2024
Last month, DeGeneres discussed the aftermath of the controversy at a small stand-up gig at the Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 May 2024
The night witnessed a surprise set from Kevin Hart’s ex-wife, Tory Hart, a scorching stand-up in her own right (who just performed on tour with Katt Williams).
—Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024
Guests will have the option to stay after the event for a free kayak or stand-up paddle board rental on Mission Bay.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2023
Kemp’s infectious smile and, by all accounts, stand-up status as a teammate put him on the list.
—James Yasko, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023
John Mulaney is making a comeback to stand-up with his latest special, John Mulaney: Baby J. (His last special was released five years ago in 2018.
—Amanda Curran, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2023
Amazon Prime Video's comedy that follows the life of a stand-up comedian in the 1960s will end with its fifth season, which premieres on April 14.
—Brendan Morrow, The Week, 20 Mar. 2023
Sandler did his first stand-up at 17 at an open mic in Boston.
—Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Rodgers said that Hawk suggested McAfee as an emergency fill-in for a golf tournament team, and McAfee agreed to do it even while in the midst of a stand-up comedy tour.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2023
President Zelensky, the most important person standing up for freedom, was a stand-up comic.
—Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023
In addition, Laugh Out Loud Radio on SiriusXM will exclusively premiere Bernie Mac’s first-ever solo full-length stand-up album.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Mar. 2023
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024
Ben Sanders, the city’s chief equity officer and director of that office, said one of his first steps in standing up the new office would be convening a community advisory board to oversee and provide feedback on those efforts.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 13 May 2024
The Bears’ claims of economic impact from the stadium project likely won’t stand up to public scrutiny or outright opposition.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2024
In 1976, former San Francisco State President S.I. Hayakawa, a Republican, was elected to the U.S. Senate after establishing himself as an iconic hero for standing up to campus antiwar demonstrators.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
Also, as always, stirring anthems about (pick one or more) standing up or holding up or looking up or not giving up.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 9 May 2024
There are activist students who stand up for a cease-fire and push the district to teach them more about Palestine.
—Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 7 May 2024
Known to achieve a true blonde tone without brassiness, Hazan’s color techniques also stand up against heat.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 2 May 2024
Nobody, not even the Reagan administration was standing up for South Africa.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
Adjective
Gillis also has his second stand-up special coming in 2025 after his 2023 effort, Beautiful Dogs, spent two weeks in the U.S. top 10 list.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
The Arkansas River fills with snowmelt in late spring and early summer, creating a whitewater playground for rafters, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders.
—Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 21 May 2024
For a bit more nature, head to Carolina Beach State Park (home to the Venus flytrap) to try your hand at kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
Cracking jokes should be no problem for Stewart, who got his start as a stand-up comedian before branching out to television as a host.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
Enjoy a full episode screening and discussion centering on the creative process and collaborative work in bringing this 3-part stand-up comedy docuseries to life.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 May 2024
Last month, DeGeneres discussed the aftermath of the controversy at a small stand-up gig at the Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 13 May 2024
The night witnessed a surprise set from Kevin Hart’s ex-wife, Tory Hart, a scorching stand-up in her own right (who just performed on tour with Katt Williams).
—Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024
Guests will have the option to stay after the event for a free kayak or stand-up paddle board rental on Mission Bay.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2024
Noun
In this post-season glow, performing stand-up across the country, the two cast members were about to conjure two of their most popular characters on the show.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 25 Mar. 2023
Kemp’s infectious smile and, by all accounts, stand-up status as a teammate put him on the list.
—James Yasko, Chron, 24 Mar. 2023
John Mulaney is making a comeback to stand-up with his latest special, John Mulaney: Baby J. (His last special was released five years ago in 2018.
—Amanda Curran, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2023
Amazon Prime Video's comedy that follows the life of a stand-up comedian in the 1960s will end with its fifth season, which premieres on April 14.
—Brendan Morrow, The Week, 20 Mar. 2023
Sandler did his first stand-up at 17 at an open mic in Boston.
—Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Rodgers said that Hawk suggested McAfee as an emergency fill-in for a golf tournament team, and McAfee agreed to do it even while in the midst of a stand-up comedy tour.
—Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2023
President Zelensky, the most important person standing up for freedom, was a stand-up comic.
—Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2023
In addition, Laugh Out Loud Radio on SiriusXM will exclusively premiere Bernie Mac’s first-ever solo full-length stand-up album.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Mar. 2023
Verb
Winehouse is also the opposite of a hothouse flower, standing up to her management company and record execs and TV show hosts like Jonathan Ross and anyone who tries to reduce her to some easily categorizable, disposable commercial flavor of the moment.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024
Ben Sanders, the city’s chief equity officer and director of that office, said one of his first steps in standing up the new office would be convening a community advisory board to oversee and provide feedback on those efforts.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 13 May 2024
The Bears’ claims of economic impact from the stadium project likely won’t stand up to public scrutiny or outright opposition.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2024
In 1976, former San Francisco State President S.I. Hayakawa, a Republican, was elected to the U.S. Senate after establishing himself as an iconic hero for standing up to campus antiwar demonstrators.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024
Also, as always, stirring anthems about (pick one or more) standing up or holding up or looking up or not giving up.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 9 May 2024
There are activist students who stand up for a cease-fire and push the district to teach them more about Palestine.
—Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 7 May 2024
Known to achieve a true blonde tone without brassiness, Hazan’s color techniques also stand up against heat.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 2 May 2024
Nobody, not even the Reagan administration was standing up for South Africa.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 2 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stand-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stand-up
Cite this Entry
“Stand-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand-up. Accessed 24 May. 2024.
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