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
This lifeline has people standing by who can speak to you via text or phone in English and in Spanish.
—
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell is standing by Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show this Sunday.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 3 Feb. 2026
Weird Al Yankovic was standing by the bar waiting, like everybody else, for the proceedings to begin.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
And since the hotel is spread out vertically with many rooms perched on a hill, there are always multiple members of the valet team standing by to take you anywhere on property via golf cart.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
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, 25 Jan. 2026
And the Heat don’t capitulate (with the exception of 2008, when there essentially were no last men standing by midseason on the way to 15-67).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Liza Minnelli is standing by her decision to use an AI voice-cloning company on her first new song in 13 years.
—Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Senator Mark Warner and Congressman Mike Turner are standing by.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 3 Feb. 2026
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell is standing by Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show this Sunday.
—Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 3 Feb. 2026
Weird Al Yankovic was standing by the bar waiting, like everybody else, for the proceedings to begin.
—Rob Ledonne, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026
And since the hotel is spread out vertically with many rooms perched on a hill, there are always multiple members of the valet team standing by to take you anywhere on property via golf cart.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
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, 25 Jan. 2026
And the Heat don’t capitulate (with the exception of 2008, when there essentially were no last men standing by midseason on the way to 15-67).
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Liza Minnelli is standing by her decision to use an AI voice-cloning company on her first new song in 13 years.
—Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Senator Mark Warner and Congressman Mike Turner are standing by.
—CBS News, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing by
defending
Verb
-
The toughest matchup in the district is unquestionably Arlington Bowie, a defending district champion.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Boswell is the defending 6A Division II state champion and the Carroll girls rank sixth in the state among Class 6A teams.—
Myah Taylor,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standing by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20by. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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