stand 1 of 2

Definition of standnext
1
as in to sit
to occupy a place or location the monument stands in the middle of the town plaza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in to pay
to give what is owed for I'll stand lunch, and you can pay me back later

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes if the city's baseball team wins today, they will stand first in the league

Synonyms & Similar Words

stand

2 of 2

noun

as in podium
a level usually raised surface marchers passed by the reviewing stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stand are abide, bear, endure, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is abide a more appropriate choice than stand?

Although the words abide and stand have much in common, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of stand?

The synonyms bear and stand are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can endure take the place of stand?

While the synonyms endure and stand are close in meaning, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When could suffer be used to replace stand?

The meanings of suffer and stand largely overlap; however, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When might tolerate be a better fit than stand?

In some situations, the words tolerate and stand are roughly equivalent. However, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

How does the verb stand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stand are abide, bear, endure, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is abide a more appropriate choice than stand?

Although the words abide and stand have much in common, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of stand?

The synonyms bear and stand are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can endure take the place of stand?

While the synonyms endure and stand are close in meaning, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When could suffer be used to replace stand?

The meanings of suffer and stand largely overlap; however, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When might tolerate be a better fit than stand?

In some situations, the words tolerate and stand are roughly equivalent. However, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of stand
Verb
Boston and Montreal have a long-standing hockey rivalry, starting with Bruins and Canadiens in the NHL. Logan Hall, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026 The commercial district stands gutted, looted and torched. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
The issue has been met with support on both sides of the aisle, with lawmakers seeing many ways Connecticut families and the state economy as a whole stand to benefit from the vision of the endowment. Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026 The physically demanding scene included a keg stand at a frat party. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand
Verb
  • The neighborhood/area The Loutrel sits at the northern edge of Charleston’s French Quarter, known for its Huguenot roots and art galleries.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The average home for sale now sits for 88 days, a significant jump from 54 days last year.
    Chase Jordan April 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That is not a situation that elite clubs can tolerate.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Dissent is not tolerated, which has led to a repressive political climate and one in which human rights are routinely violated.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Horwitz says the funds could increase teacher pay by as much as 5%, but they will also be used to provide more specialists and smaller class sizes.
    Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Alfortish paid Garrison for his work as a slammer by check.
    Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Fans have proven over the last three years that there is an appetite for women’s hockey in Detroit, drawing 53,586 fans over four games at Little Caesars Arena.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • In antiquity, technology was literally demonized, so there was no stigma in positioning oneself against it.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Shaking his head at Chase Center’s postgame podium after the Warriors beat the tanking Kings – with no Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine – Green scoffed at the play-in.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • In particular, Ainesworth called out Fort Worth human resources director Kristen Smith while standing next to her at the podium during the committee meeting.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The appeal of Larsson lies less in her songcraft than in her got-it-out-the-mud performer’s grit.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • McIlroy looks to be ahead of Morikawa in his recovery, but the rolling, difficult walk and lie angles on second shots at Augusta National Golf Club can tweak even a healthy player’s back muscles.
    Dennis Esser, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The film also highlights, through such enduring artifacts as cassette recordings and photographic prints, the archival basis of memory itself.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • After enduring years of thieves stealing headstones, the owner of a Compton cemetery decided to sell the property after a person stabbed her three dogs on Friday.
    Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Within three days of the Da Nang landing in 1965, a group of professors at the University of Michigan met to discuss a response.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Politics, waivers, and environmental concerns Under the Biden-era rule, coke plants were supposed to start meeting new limits on leaks from the lids and doors of ovens that heat coal.
    Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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