stand aside

phrasal verb

stood aside; standing aside; stands aside
1
: to move to the left or right with one step or a few small steps
Please stand aside and let me pass.
2
: to allow something to happen : to not try to stop someone from doing something
I'm not going to stand aside and watch you ruin your life.

Examples of stand aside in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then along come two politicians who’ve both been arrested for refusing to stand aside as state power harms people. Steven W. Thrasher june 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025 Later in life, these experiences gave him the ability to stand aside and let others talk, a valuable attribute for a writer. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025 Meanwhile, the military officials and intelligence agencies that the president sought to enlist refused to cooperate, the courts refused to stand aside, and the media reported developments accurately. Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025 News to Know Popovich steps down Gregg Popovich is standing aside as head coach of the Spurs after a legendary 29-year career. Sam Settleman, New York Times, 3 May 2025 While soldiers stood aside, volunteers combed through rubble with their hands. Sui-Lee Wee, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 But the league standing aside, the club has launched several exciting grassroots initiatives in the United States to grow the Kaiserslautern’s profile overseas. Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 But when the rebels commenced their lightning offensive in late November, Russian forces largely stood aside. Hanna Notte, Foreign Affairs, 27 Feb. 2025 But standing aside or rolling over is not leadership either, and Alzawahi has some suggestions for how to select better leaders. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stand aside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20aside. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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