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

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will almost certainly see the United States’ decisions to back away from defending its NATO allies as an indication that Washington will not stand by Taiwan and South Korea. — Franklin C. Miller, Foreign Affairs, 15 Sep. 2026 Johnson handed the unconscious dog to the team standing by with an animal oxygen mask. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 15 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 strap anchors between the first two toes with a smooth leather toe post, holding the foot securely while leaving the sides and back of the foot exposed in a classic mule style.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
Earlier Tuesday evening, NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams said the station had lost contact with its crew.

— Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 16 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

Simple knits are the backbone of a fall wardrobe, and the Zesica V-neck Sweater has the understated look that Rag & Bone does so well.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026
In summary, Linde represents a rare and highly attractive opportunity to invest in the hardware backbone of AI at a standard defensive valuation.

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 15 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

Once inside, curved cherrywood ceilings and tree-like pillars tower over the tables, booths and bar for a cinematic effect.

— Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
High jewelry, which starts at $50,000 for De Beers London, is the third pillar and one that is pulling more than its weight.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of pillar

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stand by

standby

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Style

“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stand by

verb

noun

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