as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support
our old standby in times of trouble
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standbys
Spring’s touring theater productions are a mix of old standbys and new shows.
—
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
Prep school standbys were seen across the runways for spring 2026, and are now trickling into transitional outerwear looks, with the help of a major wardrobe hero piece.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
Readers chose plenty of old standbys, but a few impressive upstarts are also on the hot list.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Roadside spots serve up standbys like barbecue and the national dish of fish and fungi.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
This striking crimson suit is one of the princess’s standbys for significant events.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026
To make the look seasonally apropos, put thought into color, pattern, and material; designs that incorporate warm-weather standbys like pastels, florals, and chiffon are always good ideas.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
The old standbys are still there.
—Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
Old standbys and new treatments Topical minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a foam available over-the-counter that lengthens the growth phase of the hair cycle, keeping more hair on the head at any one time.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 18 Mar. 2026
Prep school standbys were seen across the runways for spring 2026, and are now trickling into transitional outerwear looks, with the help of a major wardrobe hero piece.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
Readers chose plenty of old standbys, but a few impressive upstarts are also on the hot list.
—Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Roadside spots serve up standbys like barbecue and the national dish of fish and fungi.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
This striking crimson suit is one of the princess’s standbys for significant events.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026
To make the look seasonally apropos, put thought into color, pattern, and material; designs that incorporate warm-weather standbys like pastels, florals, and chiffon are always good ideas.
—Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026
The old standbys are still there.
—Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
Old standbys and new treatments Topical minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is a foam available over-the-counter that lengthens the growth phase of the hair cycle, keeping more hair on the head at any one time.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standbys
Noun
-
The absence of these everyday anchors has become one of the most consistent themes in community conversations.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Highlining Between Two Moving Balloons A slackline is a flat webbing, usually nylon or polyester, tensioned between two anchors like trees, buildings, or canyon walls.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dawn Staley and South Carolina are mainstays in the Final Four while TCU is looking to reach March Madness ' biggest stage for the first time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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On Thursday in Florida, mainstays from earlier in the season like forwards Nico Sturm and Danila Yurov, and defenseman Zach Bogosian all took a seat for the night.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hundreds of animals with backbones are still being discovered every single year.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
-
To start the new Mideast war, Donnie acted on his own with no resistance from his sycophants, who have no backbones.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Science is only one of the pillars of Mashpi.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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There was a point when Matos and Marco Luciano were considered future pillars of the organization, but both former top prospects have seen their time with the Giants end in recent months.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standbys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standbys. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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