standing by
Ready when needed
Standing by describes a state of readiness or waiting.
Someone standing by is prepared to act when needed: Medical teams are standing by.
In broadcasting, it signals imminent transmission: We're standing by for the president's address.
To stand by someone is to support them through difficulty: She stood by him during the trial.
To stand by and watch is to remain passive, often with a connotation of failing to intervene.
Available when summoned
- standbyReady substitute awaiting use
- reserveSupply kept back
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- availableReady to be used
accessible · poised · prepared · waiting · alert · primed · equipped · mobilized
Carefully attentive, observant
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- attentivePaying close notice
- observantNoticing things readily
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
surveilling · overseeing · guarding · patrolling · scanning · tracking · on-guard · eagle-eyed
Support or aid given
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- aidSupport given freely
- helpAssistance given
solidarity · loyalty · allegiance · faithfulness · devotion · commitment · steadfastness · defending
Temporarily not proceeding
- pendingAwaiting resolution or decision
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- pausedStopped temporarily
- holdingMaintaining physical possession
lingering · tarrying · suspended · delayed · queued · anticipating · expecting · hovering
Not actively participating
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- hesitantSlow to act
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
uninvolved · observing · witnessing · bystander · spectating · fence-sitting · hands-off · disengaged
on-call
Available when summoned
available · accessible · poised · prepared · waiting · alert · primed · equipped · mobilized · stationed
watchful
Carefully attentive, observant
monitoring · surveilling · overseeing · guarding · patrolling · scanning · tracking · on-guard · eagle-eyed · sentinel
assistance
Support or aid given
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- aidSupport given freely
help · solidarity · loyalty · allegiance · faithfulness · devotion · commitment · steadfastness · defending · advocating
on hold
Temporarily not proceeding
holding · lingering · tarrying · suspended · delayed · queued · anticipating · expecting · hovering · loitering
passive
Not actively participating
noncommittal · uninvolved · observing · witnessing · bystander · spectating · fence-sitting · hands-off · disengaged
- supportsupport, emotional support, moral support, support group, therapist
- encouragementencourage, encouraging, praises, hang in there, supports
- friendship actssharing, helping, listening, supporting, forgiving
- getting readyget ready, readying, be prepared, equipping, gear up
- Relationship Commitmentpromise keeping, loyalty, dedication, faithfulness, consistency
- waitingwait, await, bide, hold on, hang on
standing byabandoning
Leaving permanently behind
deserting · betraying · leaving · forsaking · walking away
standing byintervening
Coming between to affect
taking action · stepping in · acting · jumping in · engaging
standing byleaving
Act of going away
going · departing · walking away · taking off · moving on
stand, standing, understand, understanding, stood, stands, outstanding, withstand, stand-in