stance

noun

ˈstan(t)s How to pronounce stance (audio)
Synonyms of stance
1
chiefly Scotland
a
: station
b
: site
2
a
: a way of standing or being placed : posture
b
: intellectual or emotional attitude
took an antiwar stance
3
a
: the position of the feet of a golfer or batter preparatory to making a swing
b
: the position of both body and feet from which an athlete starts or operates

Synonyms of stance

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Examples of stance in a Sentence

a slightly aggressive stance
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, the crowd came equipped with homemade signs and flags, espousing a political stance. — Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 The three-word message echoed her earlier defense of teenage fans caught in a confrontation at a Seattle Storm game after showing support for her stance on women’s sports. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Following the interview on Today, Che took to Threads to clarify his stance. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 His stance against the Blue Wall and systemic racism within the police force back in season eight blocked his options for promotion and a raise. — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stance

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stance, staunce, from Middle French estance position, posture, stay, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *stantia, from Latin stant-, stans, present participle of stare to stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stance was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing stance

Rhymes for stance

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Browse Nearby Words

stan
stance
stanch
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Cite this Entry

“Stance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stance. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

stance

noun
ˈstan(t)s How to pronounce stance (audio)
1
: a way of standing or being placed : posture
a soldier with an erect stance
2
: a way of thinking or feeling
took an opposing stance on the issue
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