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
-
From strategic planning tools to beginner investing workshops, employees are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to turn income into impact for their families and futures.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
As belief in traditional religions decreases and the rise of spirituality and skepticism in traditional institutions continues, this form of divination—looking to cards for answers for future, present, or past events—is on the rise.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
The eastbound side from the tunnel to Silverthorne also closed Friday morning but reopened shortly before 7:20 a.m. Both directions of U.S. 6 east of Silverthorne remained closed as of 8:25 a.m.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The report of a kayaker in distress near Willamette Falls came from a 911 caller shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, the sheriff’s office said.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Come back tomorrow for more of the latest A-list outings!—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s special envoy to the Middle East, will participate in talks with Iranian negotiators over Tehran’s nuclear program, held tomorrow in Rome.—
Ellen Mitchell,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
PepsiCo lowered its full-year profit outlook, while Procter & Gamble cut its earnings forecast and warned that consumers should expect higher prices soon.—
Bernhard Warner,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
After fellow quarterback Cam Ward out of Miami was selected with the first overall pick on Thursday, experts assumed Sanders would follow soon after as the second quarterback taken.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Centrally, by having a coltan miner as the protagonist, the film links futurity with materiality and labor.—
Ruby Thélot,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2024
-
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
Adverb
-
Otherwise, these imbalances can thwart competition, and before long, capitalism slides into corporatism, the domination of the economy by a handful of powerful groups.—
Jennifer M. Harris,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
There is a belief he could be elevated into Emery’s squad before long, having made his senior debut off the bench in September’s Carabao Cup game away to Wycombe Wanderers of League One and joined the first team on that recent Dubai training trip.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share