STANDING BY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

standing by

verb

present participle of stand by

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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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 by Dwayne Truss, a former board appointee and West Side NAACP member, lauded district leaders for standing by the plan despite federal scrutiny. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026 But the Englishwoman was trembling, and there were two women standing by a docked boat, waving toward the restaurant, the air pierced by their screams. — Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2026 Brokerages like Goldman Sachs are standing by Coreweave, but others are skeptical. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2026 Luckily, waiters are standing by with large jugs of water, ready to refill at the sight of sweat dripping down your forehead. — Ali Domrongchai, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026 To make sure that's the case, there's long been a strict firewall between the doctors and nurses trying to save patients in the hospital, and the organ retrieval teams standing by to try to procure their organs. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026 Though Hal does walk out, Todd does not, seemingly standing by his wife. — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 Democrats are more than happy to draw those connections, pummeling their Republican rivals for standing by a president who is unpopular with so many voters. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026 There’s no better example of people standing by while something’s going down than the Cornell Seven. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing by

defending

Verb

Lawmakers and school districts have raised concerns over federal agents' presence outside schools or near school bus stops, with the federal government frequently defending its actions.

— Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
The county paid about $112 million in settlements defending the department in the 2024-25 fiscal year alone.

— Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026