as in coping
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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Recent Examples of getting by
As cold weather continues to slam the South, the stories of how people and animals are getting by continue to filter in.
—
Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Magallan said that most day care and child care providers are just getting by.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
For many, that’s the difference between getting by and falling behind.
—Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite all this, PG&E seems to be getting by.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The Heat’s new-look offense relies on players getting by their defender and into the paint without the help of a screen.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Much of the 31-year-old comic’s material revolves around getting by in an increasingly stupid world — half-hearted attempts at self-improvement, if not self-preservation.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Sadly, after about a decade of getting by, the dairy market tanked.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Magallan said that most day care and child care providers are just getting by.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
For many, that’s the difference between getting by and falling behind.
—Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite all this, PG&E seems to be getting by.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The Heat’s new-look offense relies on players getting by their defender and into the paint without the help of a screen.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
Much of the 31-year-old comic’s material revolves around getting by in an increasingly stupid world — half-hearted attempts at self-improvement, if not self-preservation.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025
Sadly, after about a decade of getting by, the dairy market tanked.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for getting by
Verb
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Get rid of your ex's belongings and gifts This coping mechanism is one for people of legal drinking age.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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Ever since Cile was swept away by the floodwaters that swamped Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country last summer, her mother has been coping with her grief by writing her daughter a letter every day.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Musselman and his staff were high on both early on – seems like others are getting on board with their evaluation.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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But simply getting on the long list far exceeded Alexan’s expectations.—
Jeff Banowetz,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There were reports that the two weren’t getting along not so long ago, when Andrew was first stripped of his titles.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Feb. 2026
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Pratt, who is the author of two books on wildlife and holds lectures on getting along with the natural world, said there is something bigger at stake than removing mountain lions from the Santa Monica or Santa Ana mountains.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Minneapolis police chief says the difference between their policies on dealing with protesters and what federal officers have been doing is immediately clear.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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For Jones, doing his part meant observing, which led to at least four officers jumping on his back, handcuffing him, crushing his legs, and grinding his forehead into the frozen concrete.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Thinking about making out more and disco-ing all night long this year?—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
These are songs seeking soul, soul mate, maker, making out and mercy.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The 30-year-old star, born Austin Richard Post, was born in New York but moved to Grapevine at 9 years old after Malone’s father, Rich Post, took a job managing concessions for the Dallas Cowboys.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Feb. 2026
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He's considered a great in-game coach, who creates advantages in the margins, like on substitution patterns and managing the clock.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Getting by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/getting%20by. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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