as in flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
a hypothesis that won't stand up to close analysis
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standing up
Kelly, clearly, will keep standing up to these feckless attempts at coercion.
—
Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Today, the courageous citizens of Iran are standing up for their freedom and for the sake of the world.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Communities across the country are standing up in the wake of the tragedy in Minneapolis.
—Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Chris Brennan, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Today, the courageous citizens of Iran are standing up for their freedom and for the sake of the world.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
Communities across the country are standing up in the wake of the tragedy in Minneapolis.
—Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing up
Verb
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Hall was in net when Boston's Bobby Orr scored in overtime to win the Cup for the Bruins in 1970, a goal that's among the most famous in hockey history because of the flying through the air celebration that followed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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While some travelers praise the trend for reducing stress and avoiding baggage fees, others say flying without bags is unrealistic for longer trips or work travel.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Suamataia holding up was one of the few things that went right.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The woman and the agent appear to be holding up cellphones filming each other.—
Chris Looft,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hardemon, working with Miami City Commission Chairwoman Christine King and CRA Executive Director James McQueen, imagined a future that put Overtown at the center of art and innovation.—
Dorothy Jenkins Fields,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Not working with the federal agency is not the response the City of Pittsburgh Republican Committee wanted to hear.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20up. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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