as in shortly
at or within a short time
we'll get under way by and by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of by-and-by
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023
But nemesis haunts every heroic age and, by and by, this good court would succumb to the corrupting influence of lesser men.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022
Those numbers are going to get better, by and by.
—Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020
The red oak leaves were staying put, by and by, of course.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020
The previous GoT prequel project starring Naomi Watts, by and by, shot a pilot in Northern Ireland before HBO decided not to move forward with that one.
—James Hibberd, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2020
But by and by he allows himself to be coaxed into the fold.
—Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 24 May 2018
Robert Frost would not gaze off into the snowy world, telling this tale with a sigh, by and by, not yet.
—Mary O’Connell , Longreads, 18 Sep. 2017
Adverb
The character giving that agonizing scream on the dragon, by and by, is Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia).
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023
But nemesis haunts every heroic age and, by and by, this good court would succumb to the corrupting influence of lesser men.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022
Those numbers are going to get better, by and by.
—Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020
The red oak leaves were staying put, by and by, of course.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020
The previous GoT prequel project starring Naomi Watts, by and by, shot a pilot in Northern Ireland before HBO decided not to move forward with that one.
—James Hibberd, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2020
But by and by he allows himself to be coaxed into the fold.
—Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 24 May 2018
Robert Frost would not gaze off into the snowy world, telling this tale with a sigh, by and by, not yet.
—Mary O’Connell , Longreads, 18 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by-and-by
Noun
-
At the same time, changing meat consumption habits could affect its long-term future.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Which leaves park staff like Jones dealing with an uncertain future, worried about what's to come.—
Conor Knighton,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
An earlier attempt on March 12 was called off after a critical hydraulic system on ground failed shortly before launch.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The child fell from the Spring Grove Apartments, a 13-story building in the 4500 block of South Drexel Boulevard in Bronzeville on Tuesday, March 11, shortly before 11 a.m. local time, the Chicago Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But with the federal government considering sweeping rollbacks to environmental protections, tomorrow many may wonder: How will the bright green water affect the underwater denizens?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The choice before us is stark: demonstrate resolve today or face far greater challenges tomorrow.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
Deputies arrived at the temple around 9:13 a.m. and soon notified Chino Hills Code Enforcement, whose officers are tasked with maintaining the appearance and safety of property in the city.—
Jasmine Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The question, which figures to be answered very soon: What happens at quarterback?—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As resulting initiatives like Spelman’s and HBCUs Outside become more commonplace, there can be a signal to a new generation of young Black people that the intersection of environmentalism and cultural resilience are imperatives of Black futurity.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Nov. 2024
-
Centrally, by having a coltan miner as the protagonist, the film links futurity with materiality and labor.—
Ruby Thélot,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2024
Adverb
-
What began as a simple hobby quickly evolved into a more ambitious project, and before long, Zilveti was outlining the world with needle and thread.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
8 Mar. 2025
-
These include abusing antitrust to hobble or loot American high-tech companies and, before long, could also encompass deployment of the bloc’s climate policy for protectionist ends with measures such as Brussels’ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.—
The Editors,
National Review,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share