Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

stay behind

VERB
remain
Synonyms
STRONGEST
continue endure go on hover last linger live persist prevail stand stop survive wait
STRONG
abide bide bivouac bunk cling delay dwell freeze halt hang inhabit lodge nest outlast outlive pause perch reside rest roost sojourn squat tarry visit
WEAK
be left hang out hold over hold the fort keep on make camp put on hold remain standing sit out sit through sit tight stay in stay over stay put stick around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease die discontinue go leave lie
STRONG
carry on depart hurry move
WEAK
forge

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:

Helen Hall said: "I'm not saying that he should walk free. I'm not saying he should stay behind bars, he should have a fair trial."

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

The most marginalized and poorest may have no option but to stay behind.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

Three Americans would stay behind, while three Ngarchelongese would make the journey as a guarantee.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

Anyone who does not have that kind of money -- most Sudanese, after close to three years of war -- has to walk, or stay behind.

From Barron's ● Dec. 29, 2025

I would lie to her that I was late because I had to stay behind for choir rehearsals.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember new words for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com