by 1 of 2

1
2
as in with
using the means or agency of try to convince them by reason alone, if possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in during
in the course of she attends college by day and works at the club by night

Synonyms & Similar Words

by

2 of 2

adverb

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
Preposition
That signaled a potential end to the current stadium lease, which was signed in 1997 and has long been criticized by residents. Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025 In Tehran, so much water has been pumped from aquifers to support its increasing population that parts of the city are sinking, sometimes by more than 10 inches a year. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
Adverb
Three months after Vallow's killing, Boudreaux called 911 to report that someone driving by in a Jeep shot at his vehicle outside his home in Gilbert, Arizona, missing his head by inches. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 25 July 2025 The annual Perseids will peak in mid-August, leaving bursts of light and color up above as meteors whiz by throughout the night in the best meteor shower of 2025, according to NASA. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by
Preposition
  • Blue Origin will stream the launch live via its website beginning 30 minutes before liftoff.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Eighteenth-century naturalists debated the concept of extinction even as rattlers—like Native Americans—were driven out of existence in many areas via bounties, community-wide kill-a-thons, and militias.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 3 Aug. 2025
Preposition
  • That policy typically allows residents to stay in camps so long as they are not overrun with waste, blocking a public right-of-way or severely threatening public safety.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 July 2025
  • That calling also extends to Two Funny Mamas, the podcast Whitley co-hosts with longtime friend Sherri Shepherd.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 26 July 2025
Preposition
  • Our current favorite pairs include a few riffs on those flats from The Row—but thanks to the recent creative renaissance around jellies, there are so many more options to discover.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 15 July 2025
  • Film camera use arguably peaked in 1999, when Kodak claims consumers around the world took 80 billion pictures—that’s about 219 million images daily, a record-high at the time.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Preposition
  • Even during quieter hours, Gracie’s feels quintessential to Phoenix, with bartenders in the know about all the happenings around town and enough regulars to make grabbing a seat at the bar feel like coming home.
    Susan Stapleton, AZCentral.com, 31 July 2025
  • According to Ghost Baby's website, it was inspired by an odd incident that happened during the construction of the bar.
    Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
Adverb
  • As the guests walked in, Hasmik would scream with joy and call Tony to come say hello.
    Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • Merino Tech Base Layer Set Merino wool is arguably one of the best materials to hike in, and a gorilla trek is no exception.
    Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2025
Preposition
  • This is through three recruit classes of 50 police officers each.
    Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
  • That's the secret judicial officer listed in the criminal complaint against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan for supposedly taking federal agents to the chief judge's office while Dugan rushed through the case of an undocumented immigrant and ushered him out a side door of her courtroom.
    Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
Preposition
  • The high on Thursday, July 24, will be near 94 degrees, with the heat index reaching 100.
    Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 24 July 2025
  • The crash happened shortly after 11 a.m. near Misty Pines Drive, between 10 and 11 Mile roads, according to the Farmington Hills Police Department.
    Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 23 July 2025
Preposition
  • Additionally, the greater surface area on the roof, walls, windows, etc. can lead to more heat gain throughout the day, which will require the AC to work even harder to cool down the house.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Morris, who did not join Barr and Cameron in standing and applauding when speakers praised the senator throughout the day, had plenty to say in response.
    Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 3 Aug. 2025

Cite this Entry

“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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