Synonyms of stand

stand 1 of 2

verb

ˈstand 

1

as in to sit

to occupy a place or location

the monument stands in the middle of the town plaza

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sit
• be
• lie
• remain
• bear
• wait
• reside
• rest
• stay
• overlook
• station
• await
• hang around
• command
• dwell
• stick around
• post
• tarry

2

as in to tolerate

to put up with (something painful or difficult)

I don't know how you can stand that job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tolerate
• endure
• take
• accept
• handle
• bear
• sustain
• stomach
• meet
• absorb
• abide
• stand for
• support
• swallow
• wear
• go
• live with
• stick out
• bide
• lump (it)
• countenance
• brook
• suffer
• hack
• sweat out
• allow
• tough it out
• pocket
• permit
• reconcile (to)
• respect
• acquiesce
• agree (with or to)
• submit (to)
• capitulate
• yield (to)
• consent (to)
• assent (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• dismiss
• fight
• resist
• oppose
• decline
• avoid
• repudiate
• combat
• contest
• escape
• miss
• turn down
• spurn
• evade
• circumvent
• bypass
• refrain (from)
• elude
• dodge
• forbear
• abstain (from)

3

as in to pay

to give what is owed for

I'll stand lunch, and you can pay me back later

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pay
• meet
• settle
• balance
• pay up
• pay off
• foot
• clear
• liquidate
• spring (for)
• quit
• discharge
• ante (up)
• pony up
• recompense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiate

4

as in to be

to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes

if the city's baseball team wins today, they will stand first in the league

Synonyms & Similar Words

• be
• rank
• place
• rate
• grade
• count
• seed
• class
• classify
• sort
• separate
• codify
• categorize
• group
• set
• install
• compartmentalize
• instate

stand

2 of 2

noun

as in podium

a level usually raised surface

marchers passed by the reviewing stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• podium
• platform
• stage
• pulpit
• dais
• rostrum
• tribune
• balcony
• altar
• scaffold
• riser
• bima
• gallery
• footpace
• bimah

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stand are abide, bear, endure, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is abide a more appropriate choice than stand?

Although the words abide and stand have much in common, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of stand?

The synonyms bear and stand are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can endure take the place of stand?

While the synonyms endure and stand are close in meaning, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When could suffer be used to replace stand?

The meanings of suffer and stand largely overlap; however, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When might tolerate be a better fit than stand?

In some situations, the words tolerate and stand are roughly equivalent. However, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stand

Verb

On the platform at Wolverhampton station stood a couple of Leicester fans, Curt and Jack Armstrong, who had travelled up from Poole in Dorset to follow their team. —Rob Tanner, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Yet, the two artists stand together in ways that matter. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

Historically, the Catholic Church’s stand on climate change has veered toward silence and denialism. —Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 22 Apr. 2025

Jackson’s life-or-death last stand started with Tommy and Maria sharing a good luck kiss and ended with their relieved embrace. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing stand

• stand by
• stand for
• stand in
• stand on
• stand out
• stand up
• stand up for
• stand up to
• to stand one in good stead