stand one's ground
Refuse to retreat
To stand one's ground is to maintain one's position against opposition or pressure, refusing to retreat or yield.
The phrase applies to physical confrontations—She stood her ground when the dog charged—and to arguments or principles: He stood his ground despite criticism from colleagues.
In U.S. law, "stand your ground" laws permit using force in self-defense without a duty to retreat.
Fixed in purpose
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- immovableIncapable of being shifted
unshakable · staunch · adamant · inflexible · uncompromising · stalwart · unflinching · unrelenting
Persistent grip or resolve
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
steadfastness · endurance · resilience · doggedness · fortitude · willpower · stamina · persistence
Capacity to withstand force
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- refusalAct of declining
- rebellionDefiance of established power
dissent · confrontation · challenge · face-off · showdown · clash · dispute · standoff
Keep from harm
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- upholdMaintain or confirm officially
- maintainKeep in condition
guard · defend · hold the line · fortify · entrench · barricade · bulwark · vindicate
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
- daringAdventurous courage
gallantry · heroism · intrepidity · pluck · guts · mettle · backbone · nerve
Confident self-expression quality
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- self-assuredTrusting in oneself
- convictionFirmly held belief
- insistenceUnyielding demand for something
forcefulness · decisiveness · self-reliance · empowerment · outspokenness · directness · speaking up · holding firm
resolute
Fixed in purpose
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
immovable · unshakable · staunch · adamant · inflexible · uncompromising · stalwart · unflinching · unrelenting · rock-solid
tenacity
Persistent grip or resolve
- determinationFirmness of purpose
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- resolveFirmness of purpose
grit · steadfastness · endurance · resilience · doggedness · fortitude · willpower · stamina · persistence · commitment
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- refusalAct of declining
rebellion · dissent · confrontation · challenge · face-off · showdown · clash · dispute · standoff · pushback
protect
Keep from harm
maintain · guard · defend · hold the line · fortify · entrench · barricade · bulwark · vindicate · justify
bravery
Boldness before danger
- valorCourage in danger
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
daring · gallantry · heroism · intrepidity · pluck · guts · mettle · backbone · nerve · spunk
assertiveness
Confident self-expression quality
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- self-assuredTrusting in oneself
- convictionFirmly held belief
insistence · forcefulness · decisiveness · self-reliance · empowerment · outspokenness · directness · speaking up · holding firm
stand one's groundflee
Depart swiftly from threat
retreat · run away · give ground · fall back · withdraw
stand one's groundgive in
Cease resistance, concede
capitulate · cave in · back down · give up · yield
stand one's groundconcede
Admit something reluctantly
compromise · accommodate · appease · give way · defer
stand, standing, ground, understand, understanding, stands, outstanding, withstand, misunderstand