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Synonyms

stick by

British  

verb

  1. (intr, preposition) to remain faithful to; adhere to

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
stick by Idioms  

  1. Also, stick to. Remain loyal to, as in The brothers said they'd stick by one another, no matter what, or Phyllis promised to stick to Bert. This idiom derives from stick in the sense of “adhere.” [Early 1500s] Also see stand by, def. 4.

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.

Greer has said the U.S. is looking for continuity and intends to stick by its earlier trade deals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 2026

Ever since, said Ann Bryant, the executive director of the Bear League, teams of volunteers have tried to stick by the bear at all times, to protect her from being killed by Fish and Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 28, 2025

Speculation is building over whether Reeves might tweak the debt targets she has pledged to stick by under her fiscal rules.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2024

Maple Leafs tough guy Ryan Reaves had the puck in the defensive zone, but had it knocked off his stick by Bruins rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 27, 2024

Jinny didn’t want to carve a stick by herself.

From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.