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Definitions

stand by

VERB
adhere
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comply heed obey observe
STRONG
follow fulfill keep maintain mind practice respect support
WEAK
abide by be attached be constant be devoted be devoted to be faithful be loyal be true cleave to
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disobey ignore overlook
STRONG
condemn disregard forget let go neglect release scorn
WEAK
disjoin loose loosen not conform separate unfasten
VERB
back up
Synonyms
WEAK
advance back champion confirm encourage help lend support promote pull for stand behind
Antonyms
WEAK
continue defend pursue
VERB
befriend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
take up with
STRONG
encourage friend welcome
WEAK
buddy up get chummy with get in with hit it off side with take under one's wing
Antonyms
STRONG
block discourage dissuade harm hinder hurt injure obstruct stop thwart unfriend
WEAK
ignore neglect
VERB
defend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate argue assert back champion endorse explain guarantee justify maintain support uphold
STRONG
aid befriend espouse exculpate exonerate plead rationalize recommend second stonewall sustain vindicate warrant
WEAK
apologize for back up bear one out come to defense of cover for go to bat for prove a case put in a good word ride shotgun for say in defense speak up for stand up for stick up for thump for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
oppose protest reject
STRONG
accuse blame condemn
WEAK
abandon attack deny forsake relinquish renounce
VERB
go to bat for
Synonyms
WEAK
back up cover for defend endorse go to the wall for recommend stand behind stand up for stick up for support
VERB
help
Synonyms
STRONGEST
back benefit bolster boost cooperate encourage further maintain promote push save serve stimulate support
STRONG
abet accommodate advocate ballyhoo befriend cheer endorse hype intercede patronize plug prop puff relieve sanction second succor sustain uphold
WEAK
be of use buck up do a favor do a service do one's part go to bat for go with lend a hand open doors root for see through stick up for stump for take under one's wing work for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
block condemn delay depress discourage dissuade halt harm hinder hurt impede neglect obstruct prevent refuse stop undermine
STRONG
conceal disapprove frustrate hide ignore oppose protest
WEAK
check counteract decrease injure worsen
VERB
maintain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate declare defend emphasize hold insist say stress uphold
STRONG
affirm allege asseverate attest aver avow back champion contend correct justify persist profess protest rectify report right state vindicate
WEAK
fight for plead for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon attack deny desert forget forsake quit
STRONG
conceal give up leave repudiate
WEAK
condemn discard ignore neglect
VERB
recommend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate back confirm endorse favor justify praise prescribe propose suggest uphold urge
STRONG
acclaim advance applaud celebrate commend compliment counsel enjoin esteem eulogize exalt exhort extol glorify laud magnify plug prize sanction second steer value
WEAK
be all for be satisfied with front for go on record for hold up put forward put in a good word put on to speak highly of speak well of think highly of vouch for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
censure condemn deny discourage dissuade oppose protest reject
STRONG
blame castigate criticize debase decrease denounce disapprove dislike disregard hate humiliate insult mock refuse
VERB
second
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assist
STRONG
aid approve back encourage endorse forward further promote uphold
WEAK
back up give moral support go along with
Antonyms
STRONG
block cease disapprove discourage dissuade halt hinder hurt impede obstruct oppose protest reject stop
WEAK
move
VERB
sit tight
Synonyms
STRONGEST
stick around
WEAK
anticipate bide one's time cool it fill time hang around hang out hold on hold the phone keep your shirt on lie in wait lie low linger mark time put on hold stall stay put
VERB
sustain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assist bolster buoy continue defend help nurse preserve save
STRONG
aid approve back bankroll bear befriend brace buttress carry comfort confirm convey endorse favor feed foster lug nourish nurture pack prolong prop protract ratify relieve supply support tote transfer transport uphold validate verify
WEAK
go for keep alive keep from falling keep going lend a hand provide for shore up stick up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
harm hinder hurt obstruct stop
STRONG
abbreviate condemn contradict deny deprive disagree disapprove discourage disprove hold ignore injure invalidate keep let down let go maintain neglect oppose refuse reject shorten starve take trouble veto weaken
WEAK
abstain discontinue halt
VERB
swear by
Synonyms
WEAK
advocate back bank on be satisfied with believe in compliment depend on it endorse go on the record for have faith in plug praise put in a good word speak highly of speak well of suggest think highly of vouch for
VERB
uphold
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advocate confirm defend encourage endorse hold to justify promote side with vindicate
STRONG
aid assist back bolster boost brace buttress carry champion countenance elevate help hoist prop raise rear second sustain uplift upraise
WEAK
back up buoy up hold up one's end pick up shore up stick by stick up for take up upbear uprear
Antonyms
STRONGEST
attack deny oppose protest
STRONG
abandon block decrease depress destroy discourage drop fall halt hinder hurt injure lessen lower neglect obstruct prevent stop undermine
WEAK
weaken
VERB
wait
Synonyms
STRONGEST
await delay expect hang linger remain stay stick around watch
STRONG
abide anticipate bide dally foresee stall tarry
WEAK
bide one's time cool it fill time hang around hang onto your hat hang out hold back hold everything hold on hold the phone hole up keep shirt on lie in wait lie low look for look forward to mark time put on hold save it sit tight sit up for stay up for sweat it
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance go hurry leave rush
STRONG
carry on move
WEAK
carry out do forge forward go ahead
NOUN
standby
Synonyms
STRONG
assistant backup deputy double fill in relief replacement reserve stalwart stand-by stand-in sub successor temp temporary understudy
WEAK
pinch-hitter recourse

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One of the principles guiding those discussions is called stare decisis—Latin for “to stand by things decided.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Who knows where things will stand by the time you’re reading this?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“I will not stand by as peril draws closer and closer.”

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

"We will stand by our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

He’s wandered off to stand by the fence across from the steps, watching us with his elbows resting on the metal railing.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali