GET BY Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

get by

verb

Definition of get by

as in to cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs working at night paid my college tuition and enabled me to get by—but just barely

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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 get by The population that has stayed is forced to get by with less and less. — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026 Already the spiraling cost of everyday necessities like groceries, prescriptions and gas have forced her to get by on a lot less. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 July 2026 Can an arena show get by nowadays on presence alone, sans props? — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 July 2026 When planted in groups or close to other plants, helenium (Helenium autumnale) may get by without staking, especially the shorter varieties. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for get by

Recent Examples of Synonyms for get by

Verb

But Perel believes that many people are struggling to cope with that precarity.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
On the positive side, perhaps Root will have come up with new ways to cope with the pressure in the last four years.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of cope

Verb

Hernandez did an excellent job of easing Cornucopia, who was fitted with a brace before being removed from the track in an equine ambulance.

— Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
The two did a great job improvising before Bandito finally connected with a powerbomb on the mat.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of do

Verb

Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada and Daniel Munoz all got on the scoresheet multiple times for Senegal, Japan and Colombia.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Officers repeatedly told Matthie to get on the ground, lie on his stomach and place his hands behind his back.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of get on

Verb

Maloney said one of his top priorities was ensuring taxpayer dollars are managed wisely.

— Nathan Pilling July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
By constantly shifting and evolving his approach, the 68 year-old artist has managed the unlikely feat of remaining in the avant garde for nearly half a century.

— Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026