as in kept (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 stood by
The federal inspectors stood by their report and findings in a 2019 letter to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.
—
Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
On April 13, 2025, Stoll stood by the 18th green to watch McIlroy secure a victory over Justin Rose.
—Effie Orfanides, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
After the Journal Sentinel report was published, Berrien blasted the reporting and stood by his campaign.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
However, a handful of schools and colleges stood by their employees' right to freedom of speech while under pressure from right-wing politicians and personalities.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
Others stood by with empty bags and some appeared unsure where to go, getting turned around as their fellow suspects rushed to get to different displays.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Murnane highlighted several schools that, under pressure, stood by free expression principles — including the University of Louisville, Middlebury College and the University of Wyoming.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
His locker room, though, stood by him in the moments after the defeat.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
For the rest of the flight, volunteer passengers sat next to Dilone and flight attendants stood by her to keep watch, according to the filing.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025
On April 13, 2025, Stoll stood by the 18th green to watch McIlroy secure a victory over Justin Rose.
—Effie Orfanides, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
After the Journal Sentinel report was published, Berrien blasted the reporting and stood by his campaign.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
However, a handful of schools and colleges stood by their employees' right to freedom of speech while under pressure from right-wing politicians and personalities.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025
Others stood by with empty bags and some appeared unsure where to go, getting turned around as their fellow suspects rushed to get to different displays.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025
Murnane highlighted several schools that, under pressure, stood by free expression principles — including the University of Louisville, Middlebury College and the University of Wyoming.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
His locker room, though, stood by him in the moments after the defeat.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
For the rest of the flight, volunteer passengers sat next to Dilone and flight attendants stood by her to keep watch, according to the filing.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stood by
defended
Verb
-
Comedian Bill Burr also defended his decision to perform at Riyadh.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Over the centuries she’s been branded a traitor, condemned as a nymphomaniac, diagnosed as a sociopath and — more recently — defended as a victim of circumstances.—
Phillipa Gregory,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stood by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stood%20by. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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