as in flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
a hypothesis that won't stand up to close analysis
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 standing up
Millie Bobby Brown is standing up for herself against headlines commenting on her appearance.
—
Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Congressman Tom Barrett isn't listening, or standing up to Trump, and mid-Michigan is ready for new leadership that will tackle the high cost of living, protect Social Security and Medicare, and fight like hell for our democratic values.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Sherrill campaigned on standing up to Trump and casting blame for voters’ concerns over the economy on his tariffs.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
The bride is anxious too, since in her South Asian culture, standing up to her elders like that is considered a generally bad thing to do and creates longterm family tension.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Lester jumps in to stop him with the elevator crank, finally standing up to his abusive boss, and in the shuffle Nicky ends up falling onto the meat cleaver and dying.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
This is about standing up for local families, local workers, and the right for responsible adults to make their own decisions.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Susan Collins is not standing up to him.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Our unwillingness to compromise our values, no matter the odds or the outcome, reflects a simple conviction that standing up for the truth and what is right matters.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Congressman Tom Barrett isn't listening, or standing up to Trump, and mid-Michigan is ready for new leadership that will tackle the high cost of living, protect Social Security and Medicare, and fight like hell for our democratic values.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Sherrill campaigned on standing up to Trump and casting blame for voters’ concerns over the economy on his tariffs.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
The bride is anxious too, since in her South Asian culture, standing up to her elders like that is considered a generally bad thing to do and creates longterm family tension.
—Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Lester jumps in to stop him with the elevator crank, finally standing up to his abusive boss, and in the shuffle Nicky ends up falling onto the meat cleaver and dying.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
This is about standing up for local families, local workers, and the right for responsible adults to make their own decisions.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Susan Collins is not standing up to him.
—NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
Our unwillingness to compromise our values, no matter the odds or the outcome, reflects a simple conviction that standing up for the truth and what is right matters.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing up
Verb
-
The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The wood-free Hyper Core composite walls are finished in automotive grade aluminum outer panels framed out via 11-gauge aluminum corner rails, protecting the trailer from low branches and flying debris.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The photos show the couple's two older kids — son Charlie, 2, and daughter Grace, 5 — holding up balloon numbers of 1 and 2, while Abbie is pictured holding a series of sonogram images and the balloon number 3.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The United States is at a critical moment where family caregivers are holding up their families and the country's long-term care system, said Megan O'Reilly, vice president for health and family for AARP government affairs.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Of those, about 44,000 were working adults and 42,000 were working for an employer, according to the report.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Singaporean transit company ComfortDelGro, meanwhile, is working with Pony AI to explore offering robotaxis, while Lyft is collaborating with Baidu to test its Apollo Go self-driving cars in Europe.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20up. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share