as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support
our old standby in times of trouble
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 standbys
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
From classic shirting to the perfect trouser pants, and a bevy of knitwear standbys, get 25% off the entire site, with code ACTHANKSYOU25.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Nov. 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
Where The Nun suffered from a complete and utter lack of tension, director Michael Chaves uses some classic horror standbys to build suspense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Almost always, leadership was divided, with some wanting to move away from old standbys while others argued not to rock the boat.
—Lynn Godfrey, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
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
From classic shirting to the perfect trouser pants, and a bevy of knitwear standbys, get 25% off the entire site, with code ACTHANKSYOU25.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 29 Nov. 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
Where The Nun suffered from a complete and utter lack of tension, director Michael Chaves uses some classic horror standbys to build suspense.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Almost always, leadership was divided, with some wanting to move away from old standbys while others argued not to rock the boat.
—Lynn Godfrey, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standbys
Noun
-
This year, the league installed brand-new bases and anchors on both field complexes.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Downtown is home to cultural anchors like Pérez Art Museum Miami and the lush Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, while Brickell supplies rooftop cocktails and high-end dining with skyline views.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Two days after Adebayo offered those words, Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem, a pair of franchise mainstays who now are working as analysts for NBA coverage on Amazon Prime, called out Adebayo’s calling out of his team.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The station proved pivotal in creating an enthusiastic audience here for such acts as Chuck Mangione, Spyro Gyra, Kenny G, Earl Klugh, Acoustic Alchemy and other aural confectioners who subsequently became mainstays at Humphreys.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Many are Latin American or African immigrants working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.—
Renata Brito,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The strikes, which marked the first time in the war Israel has openly attacked civilian industrial infrastructure in Iran, sent fiery pillars and black smoke into the sky and caused oily raindrops to fall onto the city.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
-
While the iron was replaced with steel and a new deck was added in the 1930s, the limestone pillars are original.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standbys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standbys. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
