stand-up 1 of 3

stand up

2 of 3

verb

as in to fly
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval a hypothesis that won't stand up to close analysis

Synonyms & Similar Words

stand-up

3 of 3

noun

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-up
Adjective
Sandler did his first stand-up at 17 at an open mic in Boston. Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023 Rodgers said that Hawk suggested McAfee as an emergency fill-in for a golf tournament team, and McAfee agreed to do it even while in the midst of a stand-up comedy tour. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2023
Verb
The celebrity chef, who left her 17-year stint hosting Top Chef in 2023, is trying her hand at stand-up comedy, according to the cover story. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Patterson is also a stand-up comic and a regular on the live podcast Kill Tony. Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Democrats need to stand up for the working people, for -- stand up for healthcare, stand up for the jobs. ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025 There is a duty of care not to use data for the sake of it, but rather to ensure that analysis stands up to proper scrutiny and scientific rigour where possible. Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stand-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand-up
Adjective
  • That would be the honest, fair and honorable thing to do.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This reversal deeply disrespects every honorable soldier who's had our Stars and Stripes draped over their casket as Taps play in the background.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This First House will have a focus on affordable homes and projects and episodes will feature more tech-centric visuals including Instagram reels and TikTok-style content as well as vertical videos and video conferencing.
    Peter White, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Goat Springs is nestled in a clump of piñons between the rolling mass of Goat Mountain and the seemingly vertical face of Bennett Mountain.
    Tim Kelly, Outdoor Life, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Compost for Life uses black soldier fly larvae to break down organic material.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Neutrogena Clean Face Oil-free Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 Recor prefers this oil-free SPF for his face while flying.
    Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • My only real defense was Sue, one of the jesterlike presenters, who shielded me and did a remarkable, jazzlike expletive improv until everyone gave up trying to film.
    Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Williams learned about being a good scene partner doing improv in high school and college.
    Stuart Miller, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But all friends need to be honest with each other, to tell each other home truths when it’s needed, to confront those awkward moments without fear of the reaction.
    Steve Sedgwick, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But when those larger firms start to adopt similar habits—open forums, early interventions, honest check-ins—things change fast.
    Stephan Lendi, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Her son, Pax, 21, joined the audience in giving her a standing ovation following the film’s premiere.
    Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • And scores of the world’s top auteurs came to compete with strong new titles — many of them instant Oscar contenders the moment the customary standing ovations wound down each night inside Venice’s Sala Grande cinema.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How do these different agencies work together?
    Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The mixer's bowl boasts a distinctive walnut shade and wood grain pattern, and its food-safe seal means the bowl works hard (and looks good doing it).
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shot on a real-life lavish Utah estate, Mountainhead is another modern satire from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — who reunited with that HBO drama’s composer Nicholas Britell for more unforgettable music.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Comedian John Early’s directorial debut, ostensibly a pastiche of basic-cable TV movies, is not a parody, or a satire, or even a comedy.
    Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stand-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand-up. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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