as in keeping (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
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 standing by
The continent that invented and spun out the internet from its first-class research institutions now risks standing by as US founders scale with ease.
—
Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
By that third one, Fuller says, Maggie Murdaugh is not just standing by her man.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Crawford said the lying in wait allegations could not be proved because his client was just standing by a gate when the attack happened.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
Download Festival founder Andy Copping was forced to respond to criticism over billing Sleep Token as one of this year’s headliners, standing by the band as the next big thing despite pushback from attendees.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Meghan’s sharing posts about everything except standing by him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2025
To him, the equipment staff shuffling pieces around on the field during practice is just as important as the head coach standing by.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Aimee Lou Wood is standing by her decision to call out Saturday Night Live for a sketch that poked fun at her teeth, comparing the moment to confronting a bully as a child.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Another neighbor called 911 because the Cane Corsos were standing by her door, preventing her from leaving her house and reaching her car.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
By that third one, Fuller says, Maggie Murdaugh is not just standing by her man.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Crawford said the lying in wait allegations could not be proved because his client was just standing by a gate when the attack happened.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 15 Oct. 2025
Download Festival founder Andy Copping was forced to respond to criticism over billing Sleep Token as one of this year’s headliners, standing by the band as the next big thing despite pushback from attendees.
—Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
Meghan’s sharing posts about everything except standing by him.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2025
To him, the equipment staff shuffling pieces around on the field during practice is just as important as the head coach standing by.
—Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Aimee Lou Wood is standing by her decision to call out Saturday Night Live for a sketch that poked fun at her teeth, comparing the moment to confronting a bully as a child.
—Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Another neighbor called 911 because the Cane Corsos were standing by her door, preventing her from leaving her house and reaching her car.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing by
defending
Verb
-
Airborne and amphibious warfare are key capabilities for defending Japanese islands beyond the four main islands—Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu—as they are designed to project forces from the sea and air to retake islands occupied by an enemy.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Barry has spent 26 years handling Hatch Act cases, defending both Republicans and Democrats.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standing by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20by. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share