as in keeping (to)
to give steadfast support to
no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision
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Recent Examples of standing by
Yesterday, Melvin Benn, the boss of Wireless parent Festival Republic, released a statement standing by the booking and advocating for forgiveness of Ye.
—
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
Attorneys for the officers and probation union officials said the prosecutions were an overreaction to a video — first published by The Times in 2024 — that showed officers standing by as several youths pummeled a fellow inmate at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Nevarez practices visualization before every game, standing by herself, bat in hand, visualizing how that day’s pitcher will pitch to her.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Conviction is having a view before the market confirms it—and standing by it.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Pottery Barn is standing by to support your soft life.
—Emily Menez, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
An ambulance and paramedics were also standing by at the hotel.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Trump has overturned many long-standing public-policy commitments of conservatives—supporting free trade, reforming entitlements, supporting foreign assistance to save lives and advance American interests, standing by NATO, and standing against Russian oppression at home and aggression abroad.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Jessica Biel is standing by her husband Justin Timberlake, but not exactly pleased about what’s come to light about his 2024 arrest.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Mar. 2026
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026
Attorneys for the officers and probation union officials said the prosecutions were an overreaction to a video — first published by The Times in 2024 — that showed officers standing by as several youths pummeled a fellow inmate at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Nevarez practices visualization before every game, standing by herself, bat in hand, visualizing how that day’s pitcher will pitch to her.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
Conviction is having a view before the market confirms it—and standing by it.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Pottery Barn is standing by to support your soft life.
—Emily Menez, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
An ambulance and paramedics were also standing by at the hotel.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Trump has overturned many long-standing public-policy commitments of conservatives—supporting free trade, reforming entitlements, supporting foreign assistance to save lives and advance American interests, standing by NATO, and standing against Russian oppression at home and aggression abroad.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Jessica Biel is standing by her husband Justin Timberlake, but not exactly pleased about what’s come to light about his 2024 arrest.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing by
defending
Verb
-
Every Tuesday of tournament week, the defending champion chooses the menu for his fellow champions, and the lore of the occasion continues to grow.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The biggest name in the portal going to the defending national champions?—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standing by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20by. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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