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
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
For now, the network is standing by its star, pointing to the strong ratings and massive online engagement as evidence of his value to the brand.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The first winters after the Accords also brought public menorah lightings for Hanukkah, with Emiratis proudly standing by, and sometimes lighting the candles, with Jewish community leaders.
—Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
While not part of XWeaponX, Knocked Loose drummer Kevin Kaine was in the crowd supporting his friends and standing by Thursday to immediately head out for a gig in Chicago opening for Slayer.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
As his car moved forward, an ICE officer standing by the passenger side of Villegas-Gonzalez’s car was dragged, surveillance footage from a nearby business broadcast by CBS News shows.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
From Shakespearean comedies to Disney fairy tales, the sign of a life well lived is so often a woman standing by a man, vowing to obey and sealed with wedding bells.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
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
For now, the network is standing by its star, pointing to the strong ratings and massive online engagement as evidence of his value to the brand.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
The first winters after the Accords also brought public menorah lightings for Hanukkah, with Emiratis proudly standing by, and sometimes lighting the candles, with Jewish community leaders.
—Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
While not part of XWeaponX, Knocked Loose drummer Kevin Kaine was in the crowd supporting his friends and standing by Thursday to immediately head out for a gig in Chicago opening for Slayer.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
As his car moved forward, an ICE officer standing by the passenger side of Villegas-Gonzalez’s car was dragged, surveillance footage from a nearby business broadcast by CBS News shows.
—Selina Guevara, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
From Shakespearean comedies to Disney fairy tales, the sign of a life well lived is so often a woman standing by a man, vowing to obey and sealed with wedding bells.
—Leila Latif, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing by
defending
Verb
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Still, the positive outlook is that the defending champs are 4-1 with some impressive wins and without having played their best football.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The idea the two-time defending champs are tantamount to underdogs to make history is itself a compelling story -- good for the league.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standing by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20by. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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