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
No matter which way the wind blows, Morgan Wallen is standing by his decision.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
The Hurricane Hunter fleet is standing by to be deployed this season if any storms approach the United States.
—Scott Withers, CBS News, 31 May 2026
The Andic family is standing by him.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Aleksi was with a group of young men, standing by some flower sellers, when Defne and Mete stepped off the ferry.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
Now, the family is standing by Busch's family after his death at the age of 41 on Thursday, May 21.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Raffensperger went forward with the event in Macon and spoke in the airport’s parking lot, framing the incident as part of the cost of standing by his values.
—Joe Kovac, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
Trump is standing by the leadership of the Secret Service and the president personally thinks agents did an excellent job neutralizing the shooter, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Could standing by one another be the most radical act of all?
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026
The Hurricane Hunter fleet is standing by to be deployed this season if any storms approach the United States.
—Scott Withers, CBS News, 31 May 2026
The Andic family is standing by him.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Aleksi was with a group of young men, standing by some flower sellers, when Defne and Mete stepped off the ferry.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
Now, the family is standing by Busch's family after his death at the age of 41 on Thursday, May 21.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Raffensperger went forward with the event in Macon and spoke in the airport’s parking lot, framing the incident as part of the cost of standing by his values.
—Joe Kovac, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
Trump is standing by the leadership of the Secret Service and the president personally thinks agents did an excellent job neutralizing the shooter, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Could standing by one another be the most radical act of all?
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing by
defending
Verb
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The park is also home to the Groton Monument, which is dedicated to the American soldiers who died while defending the fort.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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At that point, Brazil—the defending champions who would go on to win the tournament—leads 2-1 on a pair of goals by Garrincha.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standing by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20by. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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