stand 1 of 2

Definition of standnext
1
as in to sit
to occupy a place or location the monument stands in the middle of the town plaza

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in to pay
to give what is owed for I'll stand lunch, and you can pay me back later

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in to be
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes if the city's baseball team wins today, they will stand first in the league

Synonyms & Similar Words

stand

2 of 2

noun

as in podium
a level usually raised surface marchers passed by the reviewing stand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb stand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stand are abide, bear, endure, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is abide a more appropriate choice than stand?

Although the words abide and stand have much in common, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of stand?

The synonyms bear and stand are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can endure take the place of stand?

While the synonyms endure and stand are close in meaning, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When could suffer be used to replace stand?

The meanings of suffer and stand largely overlap; however, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When might tolerate be a better fit than stand?

In some situations, the words tolerate and stand are roughly equivalent. However, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

How does the verb stand differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of stand are abide, bear, endure, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When is abide a more appropriate choice than stand?

Although the words abide and stand have much in common, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of stand?

The synonyms bear and stand are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

In what contexts can endure take the place of stand?

While the synonyms endure and stand are close in meaning, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When could suffer be used to replace stand?

The meanings of suffer and stand largely overlap; however, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When might tolerate be a better fit than stand?

In some situations, the words tolerate and stand are roughly equivalent. However, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

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 stand
Verb
The show traces Knox’s relentless years–long fight to prove her innocence and reclaim her freedom while examining why authorities and the world stood so firmly in judgment against her. Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026 Unit 4, meanwhile, was sealed with a crude sarcophagus that stood until 2016. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
Students will run the school’s farm stand, which will feature dog treats baked by special education students. Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 From 1875 to 1929 it was delineated by a simple circle outlined in chalk (hence the name), but today the circle is much more esteemed with presentation stands and roses planted in the shape of a horseshoe. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand
Verb
  • Most evenings, Mohamed Ismail would sit at his local ‘ahwa, one of the small, no-frills coffee shops that are the cornerstone of social life in Cairo.
    Mirette Magdy, Bloomberg, 27 Apr. 2026
  • While Corcoran’s take sits well outside the norms of good personal finance advice, her experience is perhaps unusual.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • It would be dedicated to the heroic patience with which Americans have tolerated billionaires like him for so very long.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • If investors and consumers begin to think the Fed is willing to tolerate higher inflation, expectations of future inflation—which can be just as influential as the real thing—can drift upward, making price growth harder to contain.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Last June, Hill was ordered to pay Bauer more than $300,000 for violating settlement terms.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But there was something delightful about how each new director built on the original formula.
    Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
  • There are ways of using social media as just a private photo album or a diary, but it is designed to be public and for content to spread beyond its context.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Infantino was forced to return to the podium, while the two representatives stood apart.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Belichick and several of Brady’s former teammates — including Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, Randy Moss and Bledsoe, whom Brady famously replaced as the Patriots’ starting quarterback in 2001 — all had their turns at the podium, as did his former on-field rival Peyton Manning.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Controversial finish of the weekend, though, came at Anfield, where Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz chose to ruthlessly lob Liverpool’s Freddie Woodman, despite the goalkeeper lying injured and prostrate on the ground.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • David Gallos’s scenic design showcases a modest but welcoming home where Bertha’s biscuits bake in the oven, a box of dominoes lies tucked on a side table, and warm coffee heats on the stove.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Derrick White, who endured his third straight brutal shooting game (3-for-12; 1-for-8 from three), set up Tatum’s dagger with one of his two fourth-quarter offensive rebounds.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
  • My mother endured hours of pain.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Chelsea and City will meet in the FA Cup final after a beast of a hit from Nico Gonzalez (above) saw City through their semi against Southampton on Saturday.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Lawmakers will meet in a special session beginning May 12, so there is still time to correct course.
    Susan Carr, Sun Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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