by-and-by 1 of 2

as in future
time that is to come we shall meet again in the by-and-by

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

by and 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-and-by
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
  • Those stats suggest good things await in the near future.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 June 2025
  • Trump pointedly referred to the relationship in the past tense and cast doubts on its happy future.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Adverb
  • The overhead catenary power lines for all four tracks failed shortly before 5 p.m. Thursday night, a transit source told the Daily News, bringing service on Metro-North’s New Haven Line and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor to a halt.
    Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
  • Six drones hit a residential area in the city shortly before dawn, injuring nine others, according to authorities.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Men and women striving together to form a better tomorrow.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 June 2025
  • Test your knowledge with CNN’s weekly news quiz in tomorrow’s 5 Things newsletter.
    Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Adverb
  • Protests soon spread to cities including Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose and San Diego.
    Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025
  • Water depth - The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 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
  • Over the next several minutes the child began to warm to the gray rodent and before long, the chinchilla was riding atop Ace’s cowboy hat.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
  • But before long, the concerns that industry thought were distant got closer.
    Matt von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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