stand back
phrasal verb
stood back; standing back; stands back
1
: to take a few steps backwards
The paramedics told the crowd to stand back.
2
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
It's time to stand back and take a long hard look at your problems.
Examples of stand back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The quarterback stood back there for three seconds and patted the ball and threw it down the field.
—
Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Press into the floor with your feet, keep your chest up, and stand back up to complete the squat.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Press through your right foot to stand back up.
—Greg Presto, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
After Temple had joined Granas and her classmates to work on a number in a dance studio, Granas was asked to stand back-to-back with the child star.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand back
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Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Press into the floor with your feet, keep your chest up, and stand back up to complete the squat.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Press through your right foot to stand back up.
—Greg Presto, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
After Temple had joined Granas and her classmates to work on a number in a dance studio, Granas was asked to stand back-to-back with the child star.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand back
Cite this Entry
“Stand back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stand%20back. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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