as in to keep (to)
to give steadfast support to
no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stand by
Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Work has been ongoing since the feds first froze funds in October, with a massive tunnel-boring machine standing by, ready to start digging through bedrock under Jersey City.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Richard Mize, Oklahoman, 24 Jan. 2026
There are reports that troops from Alaska’s 11th Airborne Division, who have been trained for cold-weather operations, are on standby to descend on Minneapolis.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stand by
Verb
The White House initially stood by the video and dismissed the growing outrage.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Work has been ongoing since the feds first froze funds in October, with a massive tunnel-boring machine standing by, ready to start digging through bedrock under Jersey City.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Oklahoma Department of Food and Forestry and Oklahoma Forestry Services has crews and equipment on standby to aid in emergency response, if needed.
—Richard Mize, Oklahoman, 24 Jan. 2026
There are reports that troops from Alaska’s 11th Airborne Division, who have been trained for cold-weather operations, are on standby to descend on Minneapolis.
—Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stand by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand by
Noun
-
In the search for their mother, the NBC anchor and her siblings have issued emotional public statements asking for her safety and to bring her back home.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
This is a Michelin Key property where reclaimed water tower wood warms the walls, James Beard–award-winning cuisine anchors evenings, and Central Park unfolds just beyond those sculptural wooden doors.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Harris and Wu would continue and broaden the party’s outreach to white suburban women, which has been a backbone for Democrats since the election.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Revolutionizing the backbone of America Emanate targets the industrial materials sector—a $5 trillion market comprising distributors, service centers, and suppliers.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An appearance from the Spanish Harlem native, a mainstay of the '90s and the top-selling salsa artist of all time, would help bridge generations of Latin music.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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If all goes well, the spray could not only become a mainstay of medical kits on the battlefield and hospitals, but also eventually could become part of a common or garden first aid kit.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For India, clean energy offers the chance to reduce its reliance on other countries in an increasingly volatile world.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
If the biggest stars in baseball are Japanese, South Korean or Latin American, think harder about flanking strategies that go around the NFL’s traditional reliance on North Americans.—
Rick Burton,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No artist, agent or employee should ever be expected to defend or overlook actions that conflict so deeply with our own moral values.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
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Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Today, only one reconstructed pillar remains at the original temple site, located outside of the main archaeological park.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Another pillar of Malaysia’s industrial push is the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ), launched to attract high-tech investment along the border.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stand by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20by. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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