stands for
phrase
1
as in allows
to give permission for or to approve of
They would not stand for their children missing curfew.
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2
as in stands
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
The nanny did not stand for whining from the children.
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3
as in represents
to serve as a material counterpart of
He got a tattoo that stood for his love of fishing.
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Cite this Entry
“Stands for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stands%20for. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
