stead
1 of 2noun
ˈsted 
1
: the office, place, or function ordinarily occupied or carried out by someone or something else
acted in his brother's stead
2
: advantage —used chiefly in the phrase to stand one in good stead
3
obsolete : locality, place
stead
2 of 2verb
steaded; steading; steads
transitive verb
: to be of avail to : help
Synonyms
Noun
- advantage
- better
- bulge
- catbird seat
- drop
- edge
- high ground
- inside track
- jump
- pull
- upper hand
- vantage
- whip hand
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a summer internship will stand you in good stead when applying to college
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2022 In their stead go fiberglass panels stylized by Ford's Chuck McHose, working in close cooperation with Shelby American. Car and Driver, 14 Sep. 2022 The Spartans relied on Ben VanSumeren, Cal Haladay and Aaron Brule in his stead. USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 Another number played in its stead before the house lights came up. Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 LaBeouf departs the project and pop star Harry Styles is cast in his stead. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 In his stead, Tan is leaving behind Jen Wolf and Brett Gibson to run Initialized. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2022 In their stead has emerged an all-too-capricious system that allows for individuals to substitute private or political agendas for those of the country's security interests. Ted Gup, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 Ringwald, however, didn't initially accept the role, and allegedly among the actresses considered to play Andie in her stead were Tatum O'Neal, Lori Loughlin, Diane Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker and Brooke Shields. Drew Mackie, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 Jim Ayello, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Sep. 2021 In the security forces’ stead, the government has once more looked to local militias to fill the gaps, a move reminiscent of the chaotic and ethnically divided civil war of the 1990s that many Afghans now fear will return. New York Times, 6 Aug. 2021 The festivities come at a time when residents in Seabrook are steading themselves for big changes when construction begins for the expansion of Texas 146. Jaimy Jones, Houston Chronicle, 31 Oct. 2017 See More
Noun
In his stead, legendary dobro and steel guitar master Jerry Douglas both presented and accepted the honor on Strings’ behalf. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2022 In their stead go fiberglass panels stylized by Ford's Chuck McHose, working in close cooperation with Shelby American. Car and Driver, 14 Sep. 2022 The Spartans relied on Ben VanSumeren, Cal Haladay and Aaron Brule in his stead. USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2022 Another number played in its stead before the house lights came up. Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 LaBeouf departs the project and pop star Harry Styles is cast in his stead. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2022 In his stead, Tan is leaving behind Jen Wolf and Brett Gibson to run Initialized. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2022 In their stead has emerged an all-too-capricious system that allows for individuals to substitute private or political agendas for those of the country's security interests. Ted Gup, CNN, 29 Aug. 2022 Ringwald, however, didn't initially accept the role, and allegedly among the actresses considered to play Andie in her stead were Tatum O'Neal, Lori Loughlin, Diane Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker and Brooke Shields. Drew Mackie, Peoplemag, 29 Aug. 2022 Verb
Rhodes stead, opposite of third-year cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Jim Ayello, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Sep. 2021 In the security forces’ stead, the government has once more looked to local militias to fill the gaps, a move reminiscent of the chaotic and ethnically divided civil war of the 1990s that many Afghans now fear will return. New York Times, 6 Aug. 2021 The festivities come at a time when residents in Seabrook are steading themselves for big changes when construction begins for the expansion of Texas 146. Jaimy Jones, Houston Chronicle, 31 Oct. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English stede, from Old English; akin to Old High German stat place, Old English standan to stand — more at stand
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing stead
Kids Definition
stead
noun
ˈsted
: the place usually taken or duty carried out by the person or thing mentioned
I'll work in your stead.
to stand one in good stead
phrase
as in aid
to provide (someone) with what is useful or necessary to achieve an end Her good memory for names always stood her in good stead when she was at a party. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- aid
- assist
- help
- bear a hand
- support
- back
- reinforce
- prop (up)
- backstop
- further
- abet
- save
- facilitate
- bolster
- guide
- forward
- promote
- encourage
- endorse
- comfort
- sponsor
- foster
- benefit
- launch
- bail out
- minister (to)
- rescue
- serve
- attend
- ease
- advance
- care (for)
- succor
- champion
- patronize
- mentor
- sustain
- buttress
- advise
- profit
- indorse
- boost
- counsel
- reenforce
- nurture
- favor
- oblige
- embolden
- hearten
- deliver
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hold back
- hinder
- interfere
- block
- bar
- restrain
- let down
- oppose
- handicap
- inhibit
- balk
- hamper
- impede
- thwart
- foil
- sabotage
- constrain
- obstruct
- inconvenience
- fail
- desert
- strangle
- frustrate
- baffle
- discourage
- disappoint
- damage
- harm
- retard
- stunt
- hurt
- stifle
- repress
- injure
- dishearten
- straiten