to stand up for

Examples

• All

• And we must be ready to stand up for those standards when they are threatened.

  Academic text (2000)

• Are you gonna stand up for yourself?

  The Crow (2024)

• So they go and stand up for women.

• And all because they stand up for the rights of the students they teach.

  Variety

• We should be able to stand up for those who cannot.

  The Diary Of A CEO

• You wanted to thank me for standing up for you.

  Bloodsuckers (2005)

• As an American Christian, I have the right to stand up for justice!

  Academic text (1998)

• A stronger man stands up for others.

  Barnyard (2006)

• Mrs. Bridges: People have to stand up for what is right, even if it is difficult.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Why did you decide to stand up for women's rights and girls education?

Synonyms

D

to defend

vsto stand up for

691 2.8

To speak up to support a person or idea when others criticize it

is broader, covering any defence or support, not only speech

S

to stand for

vsto stand up for

215 2.8

To publicly support an idea or cause

is used for defending people or groups facing criticism as well

S

to stand by

vsto stand up for

187 3.2

Support someone through difficult times

can include active defence, not just steady loyalty

S

to speak up

vsto stand up for

• Informal

135 3.1

Give your opinion clearly and firmly even when it is difficult

may include speaking in defence but also covers general opinion giving

S

to stand with

vsto stand up for

84 2.9

Support a person, group, or cause during hard times

is also used for defending when criticism or unfairness occurs

A

to advocate for

vsto stand up for

69 3.9

Publicly support a cause, policy, or idea

is more personal, focusing on defending someone rather than ideas

S

to stick up

vsto stand up for

• Informal

59 4.3

To support someone when others criticize or attack them

is similar but can include quieter or nonvigorous forms of support

M

to make a stand

vsto stand up for

23 4.6

Publicly say you strongly agree or disagree with something

is often used for steady defence rather than a single decisive act

G

to go to bat for

vsto stand up for

• Informal

12 5.4

Support someone who is in trouble

is more general, not only sudden intervention for a problem

T

to take someone's side

vsto stand up for

11 3.0

Support someone in an argument when others disagree

is broader, applying to support both inside and outside disputes

S

to stand up with

vsto stand up for

1 3.9

Support and defend other people who share a cause

focuses more on defence when someone faces criticism or unfair treatment

S

to stand in the gap

vsto stand up for

1 7.1

Help or act for others when they need support

is specifically about defending or supporting someone under attack

T

to take someone's part

vsto stand up for

5.1

To support someone in an argument

covers support in many situations beyond just arguments

G

to go to the wall

vsto stand up for

• Informal

6.6

To stand up for someone when they are in trouble

includes defending against criticism as well as general support

T

to take up the cudgel

vsto stand up for

• Archaic

8.9

Begin to strongly defend a person or cause in public

is similar but also includes quieter, less public forms of support

Antonyms

A

to abandon

773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

B

to betray

397 4.2

Let someone down when they need you

How Supportive

to champion

64 4.2

to defend

∞ 1.3

to stand up for

256 2.7

to back

932 1.0

to support

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology