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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Connor Greene, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Traditional baskets woven from multi-colored beads stand by bamboo fences and trees hang over the stone paths.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2025
Prosecutors said a team of medical professionals were on standby at the court Friday to address Lai’s medical needs.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand by
Verb
Advertisement Wu, in response, has stood by her city’s policies and vowed to challenge any enforcement efforts that cross legal lines.
—Connor Greene, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
Traditional baskets woven from multi-colored beads stand by bamboo fences and trees hang over the stone paths.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
The dog and gear were delivered about a mile away to an ambulance on standby from Fairfield.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2025
Prosecutors said a team of medical professionals were on standby at the court Friday to address Lai’s medical needs.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand by
Noun
-
In addition to Western guests, CGTN also uses Western news anchors and correspondents, giving the network an even more legitimate appearance.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Krylon’s brown provides a grounding anchor, adding depth, while C2’s ochre highlights the heavier neutral.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Organizations like the National Institutes of Health continue to recommend moderate to vigorous activity — such as brisk walking, running, or cycling — as the backbone of good health.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Having a strong offensive line is the backbone of any good offense.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
They’ve been fixtures on tour for years, and mainstays in the medal rounds for much of it.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
She will be joined at the San Diego Music Hall of Fame ceremony by the dormant band’s other mainstays — Irene Liberatore, Sue Delguidice, Joyce Rooks and Cindy Brisco.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This illustrates how widespread consumers' reliance on credit cards has become across all 50 states.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Microsoft now counts OpenAI as a competitor and has been increasing its reliance on its own AI models.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Tesla spent years defending, ultimately successfully, its 2016 acquisition of Solar City, Musk’s struggling clean-energy company.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Acosta defended the deal with Epstein in a news conference four days after the multi-millionaire's arrest.—
James Hill,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Harried enjoyed a colorful green and purple display with vast pillars reaching high into the sky, as well as a subtle green glow as activity began to wane.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Britain’s ruling Labour party has made AI services and infrastructure, including large new data centers, a key pillar of its economic growth strategy, although the government has been criticized for tax policies that restrict the growth of its tech companies.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share