STAND BY Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

stand by 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stand by

as in to keep (to)

to give steadfast support to no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision

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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

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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 by

Verb

The organizers of a plan aimed at making Pittsburgh's South Side safer are standing by their efforts. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 George and Amal Clooney are standing by their French community after evacuating their home as wildfires spread across parts of Europe. — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Noun

Clanton served as a standby for the role as well as for Toulouse-Lautrec, the painter/playwright portrayed by John Leguizamo in Baz Luhrmann’s film. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026 Talks over an extension were put on standby during this summer’s World Cup but resumed following Senegal’s elimination in the round of 32. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stand by

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand by

Verb

But as a rookie, Wilson doesn’t plan to abide by that hierarchy.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Courts still must abide by their precedents and these three legal pillars if a lawsuit hits their dockets.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 22 June 2026

Definition of abide by

Verb

Reese, Naz Hilman and Madina Okot were held to 28 points combined with Okot scoring 16 – mostly in the fourth quarter.

— Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
After scoring 14 runs to begin this four-game series, the Royals have been held to just five runs in their last 18 innings.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Definition of hold to

Noun

Nurses form the essential backbone of post-neurosurgery ICU care, providing continuous vigilance and skilled bedside assessment after complex spine and cranial procedures.

— Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
The road was the backbone of Charlotte’s transportation at the time.

— DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of backbone

Verb

Skubal also issued two walks and hit a batter with a pitch in just his second career appearance at Dodger Stadium, taking the mound nine days after the defending champions acquired him from Detroit in the biggest trade of the deadline.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Asked about those changes and the growing scrutiny of the UFW's legacy, Huerta defended the organization's historic work on behalf of farmworkers while acknowledging the controversy surrounding Chavez.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of defend

Noun

But on Sunday, every order at the San Fernando Valley mainstay was served with a side of heartbreak as the restaurant marked its final day of business.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Her feathery upper pitch, a mainstay on past records, is less constant.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of mainstay

Noun

The watchdog also criticized internal affairs investigators’ reliance on deputies’ logs and detectives’ case files, which were oriented at establishing criminal liability, not examining institutional flaws.

— Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Top Navy officials have indicated a desire to move away from a heavy reliance on carriers.

— Ben Finley, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Webb later revisited the region in infrared, seeing through more of the dust and revealing stars hidden inside and behind the pillars.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Washington and Beijing also appear to be making no progress towards building a pillar of their trade truce, a bilateral board of investment, the head of a top US business group told the South China Morning Post.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillar

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standby

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Style

“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stand by

verb

noun

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