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to stand

to stand

3.1
To resist harm and continue to exist despite difficulty
  • verb
  • /stænd/
translation icon : resistir
  • The simplicities of ideology rarely stand the fiery trial of reality.
  • stand firm
  • stand up against opposition

Everybody loves the sun, but baby, can you stand the rain?

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Examples

  • She decided to stand firm against the unfair treatment at her workplace.

  • The acid test would be how much these religions stand up for American democratic and republican principles.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Then you need to stand up to her.

  • While this approach seems logical, it does not stand up to all challenges.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Some communities have lost land while many more stand to suffer the same fate.

    Academic text (2008)
  • It needs them to say, no, I'm going to stand against this.

  • Every time you choose to stand in that moment that's terrifying.

  • This office won't stand for any harassment!

  • Regardless of guilt or innocence, you can either stand on principle and stay in prison or you can say the words the board needs to hear and move on with your life.

  • But for security planners throughout North Africa, Libya stands out as the greatest source of concern.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

to bear
vsto stand
876 3.9

To accept something difficult or unpleasant

emphasizes tolerating or not yielding rather than carrying heavy burdens
to endure
vsto stand
304 3.5

To deal with something difficult for a long time without giving up

is broader, including short-term tolerance and simple resistance
to tolerate
vsto stand
290 3.5

Endure something unpleasant without complaining

also covers resisting or not yielding, not just quiet allowance
to put up with
vsto stand
288 4.3

To accept something unpleasant without complaining

has the same tolerance idea but can include active resistance too
to stand up
vsto stand
222 3.0

To continue to be correct when people check it

is wider, covering both passive tolerance and active resistance
to hold up
vsto stand
163 3.7

To remain strong or effective under pressure

is about resisting or tolerating something rather than giving in to it
to withstand
vsto stand
122 4.2

To resist strong or harmful force without breaking

focuses on general endurance or tolerance, not only physical resistance
to resist
vsto stand
61 3.0

Hold up against stains, heat or storms

covers enduring or tolerating something rather than actively opposing it
to abide
vsto stand
52 4.6

To not tolerate someone or something unpleasant

is the everyday notion of not yielding or giving way to pressure
to sustain
vsto stand
41 4.1

To hold up something heavy so it does not fall

applies more generally to resisting or tolerating nonphysical pressures
to stomach
vsto stand
36 5.5

To be able to tolerate something you dislike

includes both coping and active resisting, not only simple acceptance
to stick out
vsto stand
  • Informal
6 4.9

To continue in a difficult situation until the end

is similar but also covers immediate resistance rather than long persistence
to brook
vsto stand
  • Formal
2 8.8

To allow something annoying or unpleasant to happen

is the general ability to withstand or tolerate across contexts
to stand fire
vsto stand
  • Archaic
7.9

To face danger, criticism, or pressure without showing fear

is broader, meaning to resist or tolerate many kinds of pressure

Antonyms

187 4.1

To accept another person's control, often against your wishes

81 4.3

To stop resisting under pressure or force

Idioms

To seem likely from the facts

To have a good reason or proof to support your claim

Act very formally and keep to strict social rules

To support yourself without help from other people

Support and stay loyal to your husband or partner during hard times

Make progress by using the ideas and work of earlier people

4 8.1

Unable to handle pressure or strong criticism

To publicly show support, often when doing so is risky

Make people notice you in a group

Make new progress by using important ideas or work from people who came before

To help someone later in life or work

To leave a place quickly because you do not want to be there

Keep doing what you believe is right even when it is hard

To keep trying after many failures no matter how often you fail

5.3

Cause a strong fear or surprise that gives you goosebumps

7.9

Have no good reason or evidence to support a claim

Do things that stop you from succeeding

Imagine yourself in another person's situation to understand how they feel

To stay still and feel awkward when you should do something

Use other people's ideas or work to move forward

To be unsure and not decide

A question asking which person is the real one

Phrasal Verbs

559 1.0

To get up from sitting or lying and be on your feet

516 3.2

Strongly dislike and be unable to bear something or someone

503 2.6

Be ready to act if needed

293 3.2

To defend yourself when someone treats you unfairly

256 2.7

Defend or support someone who is treated unfairly

244 3.2

To be easy to notice because you are different or better

222 3.0

To continue to be correct when people check it

215 2.8

To publicly support an idea or cause

187 3.2

Support someone through difficult times

165 3.1

To represent something by a sign or short name

159 1.6

Move away and keep a safe distance from something or someone for safety

123 5.1

To stop doing a job, duty or action after someone tells you to

115 3.5

To take someone else's place for a short time

90 4.2

Watch without helping when someone is in danger

to stand for
  • Informal
89 3.5

To accept something bad or wrong without complaining

84 2.9

Support a person, group, or cause during hard times

76 1.7

To wait in a line of people for your turn

Stay upright in one place without moving

73 6.0

To speak in court as a witness about what you saw

To appear in court to be judged for a crime

To say firmly what you need or think when people treat you unfairly

To join others to support the same cause

To stay in one place and watch to protect someone or something

27 1.0

To put something so it is straight and not lying down

25 5.7

To keep your position when others disagree

Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something

22 3.7

Keep your decision or opinion when others try to make you change

To resist a person or rule that treats people unfairly

To take someone's place for a short time

To be independent and not need help from others

10 3.4

To stay awake and guard people or a place

9 4.1

To be a candidate in an election

9 4.2

Hold the body straight with feet together and arms at the sides like a soldier

6 6.5

You feel upset or faint when you see something you dislike

To come together and support the same cause

Refuse to change your mind when others disagree

To balance on one leg with the other leg raised

2 7.9

To keep the same opinion or decision and not change it

To state an opinion strongly and refuse to change it when others disagree

Speak or act to support fairness when it is threatened

Support and defend other people who share a cause

Stop someone from reaching their goal

Help or act for others when they need support

to stand sentinel
  • Literature
1 7.0

To watch and guard a place or person

to stand fire
  • Archaic
7.9

To face danger, criticism, or pressure without showing fear

to stand to gawk
  • Informal
6.4

To stand still and stare with your mouth open in surprise

Compounds

46 3.9

A raised place in a courtroom where a person tells what they saw

36 6.3

A sexual encounter that happens for only one night and does not continue

stand-up
  • Jargon
35 3.7

A short meeting where team members stand and give brief updates about work

19 4.3

A desk or counter you use while standing rather than sitting

14 6.1

A final strong effort to resist a change or attack when defeat seems near

13 4.2

A person who takes another person's place, for example in a performance or at work

stand-alone
  • Specialized
12 4.9

Able to work by itself without other equipment

7 7.9

A law allowing someone to use force, even deadly force, without first trying to leave when threatened

4 1.6

A thing that holds sheet music so a musician can read it while playing

stand-down
  • Jargon
4 6.3

A temporary pause in military activity to let troops rest and stop being on alert

A raised platform where officials and guests watch a parade or ceremony

3 3.4

Electric machine with a bowl that beats and kneads dough

An 1876 battle at Little Bighorn where Sioux and Cheyenne killed General Custer and his soldiers

1 5.0

A series of games a team plays at its home stadium

1 2.3

A piece of furniture with a tall pole and hooks for hanging coats

A show that happens in one place for only one night

stand oil
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A thick slow-drying oil artists mix into paint to make it smoother and shinier

stand-in
  • Specialized
1 5.8

A simple fake used in software tests to act like a real service

A rack for holding and locking bikes

A metal rack where you park and lock a bicycle

An area of seats under a roof that shelters spectators from weather

A small holder for oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper on a dining table

9.6

A short romantic or sexual meeting that lasts part of one night without starting a relationship

wash-hand stand
  • Archaic
9.9

A small table that holds a basin and pitcher for washing hands before indoor plumbing

How Resistant

to withstand
122 4.2
to resist
311 2.2
to stand
3.1
to endure
304 3.5
to bear
876 3.9
to tolerate
290 3.5

Surface Forms

stand infinitive
standing present participle
stands third person singular
stood past
stood past participle

Etymology

The idea of stand meaning 'to endure' is linked to the phrase withstand, where stand means 'not fall' or 'hold firm'. So if something stands the test of time, it has kept its place and survived difficulties.