as in keeps (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 stands by
Walter stands by his pledge, Dodgers president Stan Kasten said.
—
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Daisy stands by, literally helpless.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
Associate commerce director Lori Keong stands by the notion that jewelry is a disappointment-proof gift.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
And amazingly, LaFleur stands by his decision to kick a field to this day.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The entire institution stands by those freedoms and our work.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
In the background, a man stands by, carrying tissues for Itsaragrisil.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Yet, Heneghan stands by the early-career design that she — and her firm — may always be best known for.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Barclays stands by neutral rating and $1,100 price target Analyst Kannan Venkateshwar’s target implies about 11% downside from Tuesday’s close.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Daisy stands by, literally helpless.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026
Associate commerce director Lori Keong stands by the notion that jewelry is a disappointment-proof gift.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 21 Jan. 2026
And amazingly, LaFleur stands by his decision to kick a field to this day.
—Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
The entire institution stands by those freedoms and our work.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
In the background, a man stands by, carrying tissues for Itsaragrisil.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Yet, Heneghan stands by the early-career design that she — and her firm — may always be best known for.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Barclays stands by neutral rating and $1,100 price target Analyst Kannan Venkateshwar’s target implies about 11% downside from Tuesday’s close.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stands by
defends
Verb
-
The mayor defends past decisions to give employees raises.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The attorney general oversees a sprawling agency that defends the state in lawsuits, enforces child support laws, oversees public information laws and provides legal guidance to state agencies.—
Philip Jankowski
Austin Bureau,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stands by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stands%20by. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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