STOOD BY Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

stood by

verb

past tense of stand by

as in kept (to)

to give steadfast support to no matter how much people object, I will stand by my decision

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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 stood by In 1996, Uga stood by Georgia during the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry on the 100th matchup between Georgia and Auburn. — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 When Cyrus flipped her Disney Channel image on its head during her late-teen years, generating tabloid headlines over drug use and scandalous performances, Parton publicly stood by her. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Piker has stood by his comments and said his intent was to warn about antisemitism — not to advocate for it. — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 When DeSantis clashed with House Republican leadership, Caruso stood by him, casting the lone Republican vote against a legislative immigration enforcement package that conflicted with the governor’s agenda. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 More than once, his white planter friends stood by him in court and kept him from unjust imprisonment and even execution. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Cambridge initially stood by Arday, saying that the plagiarism allegations had been investigated by Liverpool John Moores University, which awarded Arday’s doctorate. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 OutKick/Fox News Digital also contacted The Athletic and The New York Times Company to ask what standards apply to content distributed through The Athletic Podcast Network and whether either company stood by the episode. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026 In a statement shared with The Times, Simon & Schuster stood by their support of Arday. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stood by

defended

Verb

The 48-year-old just fiercely defended him in a lengthy statement to UsWeekly.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its actions, telling CNN in a statement that those deported received due process and had final orders of removal.

— Mick Krever, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of defended

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stood

stood by

stood for

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“Stood by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stood%20by. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stood by

verb

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