as in flies
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
a hypothesis that won't stand up to close analysis
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Recent Examples of stands up
However, by the end of the film, Cameron finds his voice and stands up to his father, crashing the Ferrari through a glass window in the process.
—
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Midway through the proceedings, one of Paul’s friends stands up.
—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
In the video, Jessie, who is wearing a blue bikini, puts one foot on her husband's thigh and the other on his shoulder, hooking it around his neck, and stands up steadily while flashing her arm muscles at the camera.
—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Every generation stands up to serve.
—
CBS News,
24 May 2026
The juicy dark meat stands up to the creaminess of the sauce.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
Flowering in vibrant red, purple, or pink blooms (depending on the species), beebalm stands up to four feet tall, making a statement at the back of beds and borders.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Ivan Reitman One of the most beloved movies of all time, the original Ghostbusters still stands up as the best in the series … by far.
—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2026
Elphaba stands up against the corrupt Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) while the frenemies evolve their relationship and sing a lot in an unexpectedly relevant fantasy flick about standing up for what’s right.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Emma Urdangen,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Midway through the proceedings, one of Paul’s friends stands up.
—
Zinzi Clemmons,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
In the video, Jessie, who is wearing a blue bikini, puts one foot on her husband's thigh and the other on his shoulder, hooking it around his neck, and stands up steadily while flashing her arm muscles at the camera.
—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Every generation stands up to serve.
—
CBS News,
24 May 2026
The juicy dark meat stands up to the creaminess of the sauce.
—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
Flowering in vibrant red, purple, or pink blooms (depending on the species), beebalm stands up to four feet tall, making a statement at the back of beds and borders.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Ivan Reitman One of the most beloved movies of all time, the original Ghostbusters still stands up as the best in the series … by far.
—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2026
Elphaba stands up against the corrupt Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) while the frenemies evolve their relationship and sing a lot in an unexpectedly relevant fantasy flick about standing up for what’s right.
—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stands up
Verb
-
Here, a quilt flies over the spacious skies of Utah’s Dead Horse Point State Park (an area threatened by drilling permits approved by the US Bureau of Land Management) bearing Wes Gordon’s Georgia, Ashlynn Park’s Arkansas, and Sergio Hudson’s South Carolina, among others.
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The Lions are not typically a team that flies counter to recognizing social justice causes.
Verb
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Louis-Gabriel Nouchi adds that organizing well in advance allows the team to work on a lighter schedule this week, a far cry from the fashion stereotype that everyone works around the clock in the days leading up to a show.
-
Salicylic acid works deep within pores to tackle buildup, while lactic acid smooths rough texture and refines skin’s surface, leaving skin looking clearer and feeling smoother in just a few swipes.
Verb
-
Henry Fonda gives one of his most iconic performances in a movie that holds up nearly seven decades after it was released.
-
McDowell isn’t convinced the comparison holds up.
Cite this Entry
“Stands up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stands%20up. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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