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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Thus, its Midwest premiere — and the first production of it ever to be mounted by a North American dance company — doesn’t meddle much with the trope of a woman who stands by her (very) imperfect partner. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 The Nationals stood by the decision, stubbornly convicted in their process. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

But anyone returning to their old lunchtime standbys is likely to find a different kind of restaurant waiting for them — one that seemingly highlights everything on the menu except traditional salads. — Renée Onque, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 Becoming a content creator has officially elbowed out old standbys like doctor and astronaut as the job that Gen Z and Gen Alpha most aspire to have. — Julianna Pillemer, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 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

Noun

The captain drops the anchor near a reef where fan-like corals in shades of purple and gold overlap, creating what looks like an underwater metropolis.

— Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
The event program will be hosted by Good Day LA anchor Brooke Thomas and features a DJ set by Katie Otro.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of anchor

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

Merchants can’t wait for that backbone to modernize, so the real question is how much a provider actually does with the data those old systems already produce.

— Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The Sparks also desperately needed Brink to become the defensive backbone of the team.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of backbone

Verb

Michelle Lewis, a songwriter and the co-founder and chief executive of the nonprofit Songwriters of North America, said the composition side of that copyright split is often the harder one to defend.

— Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Having taken home the top spot on the 50 Top Pizza list three years in a row and coming in a respectable second place in this edition, Una Pizza Napoletana defends its aptonym well.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of defend

Noun

The studies leave us with more questions than answers, but the researchers claim our rising reliance on smartphones and mobile devices makes continued study an imperative.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
The project explores how hydroponic growing—which grows crops in water instead of soil—and AI can reduce cotton’s reliance on these resources.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Target, which is starting to get some traction in its turnaround, but is still lagging Walmart, is making style a pillar of its new approach.

— Evan Clark, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
Kicillof and others have seized on widespread economic hardship under Milei to rekindle support for the movement's traditional pillars — free education, public health care and workers’ rights.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of pillar

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Style

“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stand by

verb

noun

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