Definitions

stand down

[stand-daun] / ˈstændˌdaʊn /

Part of Speech:

All (4) Verb (3) Noun (1)

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relinquish v.
repeal v.
resign v.
ceasefire agreement n.

VERB

relinquish

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon abdicate cede drop out forgo hand over quit renounce surrender vacate waive withdraw yield

STRONG

abnegate cast desert discard ditch drop dump forbear forsake forswear kick leave release repudiate resign sacrifice shed

WEAK

back down cast off cut loose drop like hot potato kiss good-bye lay aside opt out quit cold turkey retire from swear off take the oath take the pledge

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow assert claim continue defend fight hold keep remain retain stay win

STRONG

gather maintain revert take up

WEAK

take

VERB

repeal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abolish abrogate annul cancel dismantle invalidate lift nullify rescind reverse revoke set aside void wipe out withdraw

STRONG

KO backpedal blow countermand kill nix recall renege scrub vacate zap

WEAK

X out back out call off opt out shoot down throw over wash out weasel out worm out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow approve build enforce establish institute keep legalize permit ratify sanction support uphold validate

WEAK

enact pass

VERB

resign

Synonyms

STRONG

abandon abdicate capitulate cede drop fold forgo forsake leave quit relinquish renounce retire secede surrender terminate vacate waive yield

WEAK

bail out bow out cease work demit divorce oneself from drop out end service give notice give up the ship hand in resignation hand over hang it up separate oneself from sign off stand aside step down throw in the towel turn over walk out wash hands of

Antonyms

STRONG

assert begin claim come continue defend do fight hold join keep maintain pursue remain retain win

WEAK

agree take on

NOUN

ceasefire agreement

Synonyms

WEAK

armistice cooling-off period olive branch peace stand-down truce

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

stand down

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is to stand down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a move that will trigger a by-election in the London seat.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Microsoft’s in-house lawyers looked at her like she was crazy when she told them it was better to stand down than make a closing because she could see they were winning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

According to the complaint, federal prosecutors asked the state to stand down so the federal investigation could proceed, promising in exchange to pass along any information about state crimes committed in New Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Police Scotland's deputy assistant chief officer, Kenny Barbour, said the decision to stand down the major incident followed a detailed assessment by emergency responders.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

But after discussions with the ANC leadership, including myself, Joe told the youth to stand down.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

stand down

Example Sentences

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