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Dictionary.com
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

"It's the most important to stick up for people and for peace… We have to use our platforms. What's the point of being at these big events if you're not going to use your privilege?"

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2025

You either allow men to walk all over you and talk all over you, or you learn really quickly and very aggressively to stick up for yourself.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2024

“You’re always telling me to stick up for myself. What was I supposed to do?”

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin