Definitions

stick up for

VERB

aid

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abet alleviate assist encourage promote subsidize

STRONG

befriend benefact favor lighten mitigate relieve serve sustain

WEAK

bail out go to bat for go with lend a hand open doors for straighten out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

deter discourage hinder hurt

STRONG

burden upset

WEAK

block impede injure obstruct

VERB

back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate assist encourage endorse favor finance side with sponsor uphold

STRONG

abet ally angel bankroll boost champion countenance grubstake sanction second stake subsidize sustain underwrite

WEAK

abide by give a boost give a leg up give a lift go to bat for stand behind stick by

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disapprove discourage hinder hurt oppose protest thwart

STRONG

halt prevent refuse

WEAK

advance dissuade go forward

VERB

defend

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate argue assert back champion endorse explain guarantee justify maintain stand by support uphold

STRONG

aid befriend espouse exculpate exonerate plead rationalize recommend second stonewall sustain vindicate warrant

WEAK

apologize for back up bear one out come to defense of cover for go to bat for prove a case put in a good word ride shotgun for say in defense speak up for stand up for thump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

oppose protest reject

STRONG

accuse blame condemn

WEAK

abandon attack deny forsake relinquish renounce

VERB

go to bat for

Synonyms

WEAK

back up cover for defend endorse go to the wall for recommend stand behind stand by stand up for support

VERB

help

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back benefit bolster boost cooperate encourage further maintain promote push save serve stimulate support

STRONG

abet accommodate advocate ballyhoo befriend cheer endorse hype intercede patronize plug prop puff relieve sanction second succor sustain uphold

WEAK

be of use buck up do a favor do a service do one's part go to bat for go with lend a hand open doors root for see through stand by stump for take under one's wing work for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block condemn delay depress discourage dissuade halt harm hinder hurt impede neglect obstruct prevent refuse stop undermine

STRONG

conceal disapprove frustrate hide ignore oppose protest

WEAK

check counteract decrease injure worsen

VERB

support

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aid approve assist back bolster boost endorse establish help hold justify maintain promote side with uphold

STRONG

abet advance carry champion cheer comfort countenance forward foster second stay substantiate sustain verify

WEAK

agree with bear out boost morale get behind go along with go to bat for keep up plead for pull for put forward rally round stand behind stand up for stick by take one's side take the part of throw in one's lot with throw in with

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block condemn decrease desert disapprove discourage halt hinder hurt injure invalidate obstruct oppose prevent reject stop undermine

STRONG

disprove impede

WEAK

contradict let down let go neglect refuse release

VERB

sustain

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assist bolster buoy continue defend help nurse preserve save

STRONG

aid approve back bankroll bear befriend brace buttress carry comfort confirm convey endorse favor feed foster lug nourish nurture pack prolong prop protract ratify relieve supply support tote transfer transport uphold validate verify

WEAK

go for keep alive keep from falling keep going lend a hand provide for shore up stand by

Antonyms

STRONGEST

harm hinder hurt obstruct stop

STRONG

abbreviate condemn contradict deny deprive disagree disapprove discourage disprove hold ignore injure invalidate keep let down let go maintain neglect oppose refuse reject shorten starve take trouble veto weaken

WEAK

abstain discontinue halt

VERB

uphold

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advocate confirm defend encourage endorse hold to justify promote side with stand by vindicate

STRONG

aid assist back bolster boost brace buttress carry champion countenance elevate help hoist prop raise rear second sustain uplift upraise

WEAK

back up buoy up hold up one's end pick up shore up stick by take up upbear uprear

Antonyms

STRONGEST

attack deny oppose protest

STRONG

abandon block decrease depress destroy discourage drop fall halt hinder hurt injure lessen lower neglect obstruct prevent stop undermine

WEAK

weaken

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.

This doesn’t mean you don’t stick up for yourself now.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

“He always said he was trying to stick up for the little guy against the government,” said Doug Haines, a Hollywood resident who worked with Silverstein on more than a dozen lawsuits.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

This was a kid who, if he saw his friends being bullied, he was going to stick up for them.

From Slate • Feb. 29, 2024

In 2020, after a run-in with Mr Santos at Starbucks, she agreed to help him with a legal problem, feeling a familiar urge to stick up for her old friend.

From BBC • Nov. 30, 2023

“You always stick up for people,” said Father, making it sound like a vice.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer

stick up for

Example Sentences

Related Words