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
• indorse
• bolster
• heed
• foster
• cherish
• espouse
• champion
• buttress
• boost
• reenforce
• 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
• dependance
• crutch
• dependence
• buttress
• right hand
• spine
• prop
• stay
• refuge
• handmaid
• anchorage
• sinew(s)
• handmaiden
• bolsterer
• harbor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stand by

Verb

Thankfully, his wife, Trish, Matheson’s high-school sweetheart, stood by him, and his few remaining restaurant friends staged an intervention not long after. —Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 19 June 2025

At a nearby concession stand, Ramiro Castillo, a 34-year-old resident of Atlanta, stood by himself before ordering a beer. —Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 17 June 2025

Noun

When the big day finally arrived in early June, more than 60 firefighters showed up with multiple fire engines, at least one bulldozer and a firefighting helicopter on standby in case anything went wrong. —Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

While he is all set to race in the Cup Series in Mexico this weekend, Hendrick Motorsports has a reserve driver on standby in case Bowman is unable to participate. —Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025