stand by

To keep helping and supporting someone, especially when they have problems.

• I will stand by you.
• Her friends stood by her when she lost her job.
• Who stood by him during those difficult years?

How to use it: stand by someone (His family stood by him during the trial.)

Similar words: support, back

Opposites: abandon

Common phrases: stand by someone, stand by friends

To wait and be ready to act when needed.

• Please stand by for instructions.
• An ambulance stood by outside the stadium.
• Our team is standing by to help.

How to use it: stand by for something (Please stand by for the next announcement.); stand by to do something (The crew stood by to help the passengers.)

Similar words: wait, be ready

Common phrases: stand by quietly, stand by nearby

To stay loyal to someone or continue to believe in a decision, promise, or idea.

• I stand by my decision.
• She stood by her principles throughout the debate.
• Will you stand by what you said?

How to use it: stand by someone/something (I stand by my promise to help.)

Similar words: remain loyal to, stick to

Opposites: abandon

Common phrases: stand by someone, stand by something

To watch something happen without trying to stop it or help.

• Do not just stand by.
• They stood by while the child was bullied.
• I cannot stand by and let this happen.

How to use it: stand by and do something (We cannot stand by and watch people suffer.); stand by while… (He stood by while the others argued.)

Similar words: do nothing, look on

Opposites: intervene

Common phrases: stand by silently, stand by helplessly