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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stand by

Verb

But this year is different, and the roles are reversed; David and his uncle do the swapping while Peralta stands by to place each sticker carefully into the album. — Maria Jose Gutierrez-Chavez, Curbed, 17 July 2026

Kids walk out with the players and stand by their side while each country’s national anthem is played. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Noun

Police, familiar with unrest in the city, were on standby with cordons of armored cars, which were quickly pelted with projectiles by the rioters. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2026

Old standbys have been reborn, too. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026