Synonyms of stand by

stand by 1 of 2

verb

as in to keep (to)

to give steadfast support to

no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

• keep (to)
• abide by
• hold to
• live up to
• defend
• stick (to or with)
• adhere (to)
• cling (to)
• accept
• hew (to)
• support
• cultivate
• follow
• adopt
• endorse
• embrace
• cleave (to)
• confirm
• advocate
• reinforce
• enforce
• uphold
• back
• heed
• bolster
• foster
• cherish
• espouse
• champion
• buttress
• boost
• backstop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• give up
• take back
• recall
• defect (from)
• relinquish
• abandon
• reconsider
• withdraw
• forsake
• disagree (with)
• desert
• revoke
• surrender
• spurn
• renounce
• retract
• refute
• disprove
• recant
• deny
• dispute
• rebut
• renege
• abjure
• negative
• contradict
• controvert
• negate
• repudiate
• disclaim
• disavow
• abnegate
• gainsay
• disown
• back down
• unsay
• back off
• backtrack

standby

2 of 2

noun

ˈstan(d)-ˌbī 

as in anchor

something or someone to which one looks for support

our old standby in times of trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anchor
• backbone
• mainstay
• reliance
• pillar
• crutch
• dependence
• buttress
• right hand
• spine
• prop
• stay
• refuge
• anchorage
• sinew(s)
• handmaiden
• bolsterer
• harbor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stand by

Verb

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi stood by the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files on Friday during a private interview before the House Oversight Committee. —Ellie Austin, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Owners David Hart and Shawn Allen plan to open the new spot at the former Merl’s 111 barbecue stand by mid-June to early July, featuring homemade ice cream and rotating Mexican, barbecue and steak specials. —Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026

Noun

However, the vice president will be on standby to travel to Islamabad if talks progress, the officials said, and members of his staff will be in Pakistan and attending the negotiations. —Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

Sakai, now 71, dedicates Sundays to making quarts of homemade dashi, or broth, for her household of two, keeping them on standby for breakfast and other meals. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026