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
Her very reliable and efficient assistant Eunice (Seoyeon Jang) stands by her side but curries the jealous attention of unstable Ashley.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stands by
defends
Verb
-
Forward Rieger Lorenz #14 of the Denver Pioneers brings the puck up ice as defenseman Luca Fantilli #63 of the Michigan Wolverines defends on Thursday night.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
No one takes shots at the net and defends them like these guys.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stands by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stands%20by. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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