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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in anchor
something or someone to which one looks for support
our old standby in times of trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stand by
Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
The Knights moved downfield but a strong defensive stand by Belmont Hill forced BB&N to settle for a 17-yard field goal from Vince Snoonian.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Where The Nun suffered from a complete and utter lack of tension, director Michael Chaves uses some classic horror standbys to build suspense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand by
Verb
Near Rolles, a half dozen women stood by parked cars, rosary beads clasped, heads lowered in prayer.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2025
The Knights moved downfield but a strong defensive stand by Belmont Hill forced BB&N to settle for a 17-yard field goal from Vince Snoonian.
—Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
The airspace over Poland's major air hub, Chopin International Airport in Warsaw, was temporarily closed and Polish Territorial Defence Forces were put on standby.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Where The Nun suffered from a complete and utter lack of tension, director Michael Chaves uses some classic horror standbys to build suspense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand by
Noun
-
After divorcing their previous partners and publicizing their relationship, the ex-GMA3 co-anchors hit many relationship milestones, including moving in together.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The former co-anchors made the decision to marry about a month ago.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Iranian middle class has long been the backbone of the reform movement, and the driver of many of Iran’s protest movements over the decades.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
19 Oct. 2025
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And this ‘25 squad has not shown the backbone of resolve to inspire any such turnaround, especially after the club’s inner-turmoil was laid bare last week with Tagovailoa’s post-loss remarks about some players missing or tardy for players-only meetings.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lizotte figures to be a mainstay, though.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Some mainstays will be a part of the Yankees' future, but there is room for the front office to make changes this offseason.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Prior to this year, many HSPH researchers saw the school’s reliance on federal funds as a strength.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
16 Oct. 2025
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Anyway, the Danish study was criticized — in the same journal that had published it — for its reliance on a very small sample of children.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Eric, 41, defended the exchange in multiple interviews, touting his family's real estate projects in Indonesia.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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John Stamos is defending his former Full House costar Lori Loughlin for her part in the 2019 college admissions scandal, blaming her ex-husband Mossimo Giannulli.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Stretching from pillar to pillar, the sculptural element blends the analog with the digital.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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Fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, is a vital part of Ramadan, the holy period that marks the month when Muslims believe the angel Gabriel first revealed the Quran, Islam’s central religious text, to the Prophet Muhammad.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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