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
It’s designed with interior pockets and a divider to keep belongings tidy, while its sturdy frame stands up to the wear and tear of airports.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
The paddles seem to really make a difference in aeration to get foam that stands up.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
Joining Rapp in his intellectual group, Adam Goldberg's Mike Newhouse nevertheless gets into a scuffle during the moon tower party but ultimately stands up for himself.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
But, to his credit, rather than turn against Kat, Dale stands up for her.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Vino Cobos Malbec stands up to the bife de chorizo, Santa Julia pairs beautifully with empanadas or skirt steak, Zuccardi complements cordero patagónico, and Bonarda works with Asado.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Thankfully, William stands up to his mother (with a bit of support from his father), and makes his decision to marry Peggy.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
The paddles seem to really make a difference in aeration to get foam that stands up.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Oct. 2025
Joining Rapp in his intellectual group, Adam Goldberg's Mike Newhouse nevertheless gets into a scuffle during the moon tower party but ultimately stands up for himself.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
But, to his credit, rather than turn against Kat, Dale stands up for her.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Vino Cobos Malbec stands up to the bife de chorizo, Santa Julia pairs beautifully with empanadas or skirt steak, Zuccardi complements cordero patagónico, and Bonarda works with Asado.
—Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Thankfully, William stands up to his mother (with a bit of support from his father), and makes his decision to marry Peggy.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stands up
Verb
-
When a mosquito comes and bites him, the bug immediately tastes the spice in his blood and flies away only to combust moments later.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Five cookline flies and two dishwasher area flies were landing on kitchen walls and shelves.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The average American now works about four years longer than during the 1980s, according to Gallup polling.—
Paige Winfield Cunningham The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Containing everyday shoes is one of the trickiest feats in a home, but a system that works for the whole family keeps the chaos contained.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Paired with the Country Fried Steak, an 8-ounce beef steak lightly coated, fried, and topped with white gravy, the table has something substantial that holds up as the game stretches on.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Cumming holds up his iPhone to the camera, proudly boasting about still-unseen looks in all their campy and ridiculous glory.—
Jonathan Borge,
InStyle,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stands up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stands%20up. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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