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

More than once, his white planter friends stood by him in court and kept him from unjust imprisonment and even execution. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 But as John’s secrets become known, her ability to stand by silently is challenged. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026

Noun

Colors like the perfectly balanced red Ruby Woo, deep beige Velvet Teddy and bright orchid Heroine are beauty-industry standbys, and the brand offers more than 150 lipstick shades in total. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Our choice today is English breakfast, another old standby from the pantry. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 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

Noun

The dreamy setting is an ideal spot to drop anchor for a relaxing swim, snorkel, and linger over a bottle of local wine under umbrella pine trees buzzing with cicadas.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
Howard, a mother of five, called her son energetic and an anchor for his younger siblings.

— Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 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

The tablet combines bictegravir, the backbone of Gilead’s blockbuster HIV pill Biktarvy, with lenacapavir, a first-in-class capsid inhibitor that has become a centerpiece of the company’s long-term strategy for HIV treatment and prevention.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Combine drought with fire and the backbone of the Everglades — its marshy peat soil — also becomes more vulnerable.

— Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of backbone

Verb

Alonso is leaning into Chelsea’s strength — the transitional attacking power of his front three — and working on protecting the weakness, giving up too much space for his team to defend.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of defend

Noun

The Eagles were pleasant mainstays of these channels, slipping right in alongside the bands that had inspired them and reminding listeners of a time that was slipping away.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
But Green has been a mainstay in this community’s environmental scene, volunteer-leading Orange Audubon once as president, taking a break, and now doing so again.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mainstay

Noun

The partnership is intended to revitalize the refinery, support more than 500 American jobs and reduce US reliance on overseas suppliers for strategically important materials.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The deal would also help Nvidia protect its dominant position in AI chips, which has been somewhat under threat as major tech peers build out their own chips to reduce their reliance on Nvidia hardware.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reliance

Noun

Volkswagen’s prosperity was recently based on two pillars – huge profits earned in China, and the highly successful German base where its engineers led the world for decades in making and exporting advanced sedans and SUVs.

— Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Narrower set of engines Next week's nonfarm payrolls report could also give some reassurance on how the economy is doing, which remains robust but with weakening pillars of support.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pillar

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“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stand by

verb

noun

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