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Definitions

stand down

[stand-doun] / ˈstændˌdaʊn /
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.

The boats were rejecting commands and were unable to reliably maneuver away from other traffic, prompting a safety stand-down, according to people familiar with the exercise.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

President Bill Clinton helped mediate a stand-down, then signed the U.S.–China Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, which established a forum to discuss these sorts of disputes, while also reviving a U.S. military treaty with the Philippines.

From Slate • Oct. 4, 2023

On Friday, the Princess Royal attended a stand-down parade for 47 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, attended by past and present personnel.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2023

“During this stand-down, we will focus on safety and training protocols to ensure our pilots and crews have the knowledge, training and awareness to safely complete their assigned mission.”

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2023

“I’m sorry,” I said, hands out in a stand-down gesture.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer