standbys

noun

plural of standby
as in anchors
something or someone to which one looks for support our old standby in times of trouble

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of standbys Formulas packed with oils, butters, and skin-care standbys like hyaluronic acid are always helpful. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 But anyone returning to their old lunchtime standbys is likely to find a different kind of restaurant waiting for them — one that seemingly highlights everything on the menu except traditional salads. — Renée Onque, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026 Becoming a content creator has officially elbowed out old standbys like doctor and astronaut as the job that Gen Z and Gen Alpha most aspire to have. — Julianna Pillemer, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 Colors like the perfectly balanced red Ruby Woo, deep beige Velvet Teddy and bright orchid Heroine are beauty-industry standbys, and the brand offers more than 150 lipstick shades in total. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 Sports from the traditional standbys (artistic gymnastics) to the newest additions (flag football, lacrosse and squash) all sold through their first-drop availability. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Old standbys have been reborn, too. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026 While the appetite for $500-per-person omakase may be cooling slightly, Indian and Levantine spots are as in-demand as the city’s classic steakhouses and French and Italian standbys. — Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026 At last month’s Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim — one of the world’s largest food trade shows — old standbys finding fresh roles and unexpected places to shine was the buzz. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standbys
  1. anchors
  2. mainstays
  3. backbones
  4. pillars
Noun
  • The announcement has sparked concern among families who view these schools as community anchors.
    — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Capp’s flagship class on the Vietnam War’s impact on American religion and culture became a national sensation, drawing praise from members of Congress, television news anchors, and public intellectuals.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of anchors
Noun
  • While a few mainstays are still around like Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart, this latest announcement sees a continuation of a freshening up of its coverage.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Digital media and the people who star in it have been cultural mainstays for teens’ entire lives, so creating social media, video or podcast content seems a natural, albeit nontraditional, career path.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of mainstays
Noun
  • More specifically, insects are invertebrates (animals without backbones) and are part of the arthropod phylum, which also includes spiders, crabs, and centipedes.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Look under rocks for macroinvertebrates (animals without backbones, like stoneflies).
    — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 18 June 2026
Definition of backbones
Noun
  • Volkswagen’s prosperity was recently based on two pillars – huge profits earned in China, and the highly successful German base where its engineers led the world for decades in making and exporting advanced sedans and SUVs.
    — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Narrower set of engines Next week's nonfarm payrolls report could also give some reassurance on how the economy is doing, which remains robust but with weakening pillars of support.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pillars

Browse Nearby Words

standby
standbys
stand for
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Cite this Entry

“Standbys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standbys. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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