by 1 of 2

Definition of bynext
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 first bite delivers the crispy outside with a soft chew of rice, followed by the hot dog. Justin Brown, AJC.com, 27 June 2026 Meanwhile, the share of vote-by-mail ballots dropped about 3 percentage points to 82%, indicating a rise in in-person voting. Vanessa Martínez, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Adverb
Nearby, a limpkin waded in the creek to forage, and a great blue heron flew by. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026 Traffic rushes by on the surrounding streets, but within the 16-acre neighborhood of Culdesac, cars are conspicuously absent. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by
Preposition
  • Watching the hearing via Zoom from a prison holding room, Powell wiped his eyes and sighed heavily as Cribbs once again recited the facts of the case before Judge Rachelle Carnesale, explaining when Walton was fatally shot.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • In the early moments, Germany was awarded a penalty kick, only for it to be called back to a foul on Germany called via replay review.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Preposition
  • Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and backup Daniil Tarasov will both be free agents in a matter of days, leaving Florida with a crucial hole — or net – to fill.
    Ava DiCecca, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2026
  • While Blutinger was speaking, history professor Jonathan Roth attempted to take video of the protesters in the hallway and got into a physical altercation with a female student who tried to block him from doing so.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
Preposition
  • Gakpo's teammates came onto the filed to support him and formed a circle around him, putting their arms around each other as the crowd cheered, as shown in another video shared by Fox Sports.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Republicans were left out of the months of conversations around the plan.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Preposition
  • In fact, many of us often end up buying things that our colleagues found during their search.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
  • As for 29-year-old Greenway notched six points in 40 games with the Sabres last season and scored three points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Buffalo during the 2025-26 campaign.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 24 June 2026
Adverb
  • The breathable, airy fabric is comfortable enough to curl up in on long flights and car rides alike, thanks to four-way stretch and a silky-soft feel that has hundreds of shoppers stocking up in multiple colors.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2026
  • As in, pair their red blend with a candy charcuterie board.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 June 2026
Preposition
  • Pitchers aren’t chosen through the fan vote — hurlers and reserves have to wait for the player ballot (which includes votes from players, coaches and managers) and commissioners picks.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Midway through the second half, tied with Germany, its World Cup hopes dwindling, Ecuador lined up for a corner kick.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 26 June 2026
Preposition
  • The fire has grown to about 100 acres near the Sawgrass Expressway and Commercial Boulevard, according to authorities.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
  • Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources announced on Sunday, June 28, that Kinney's body was discovered near Grayson Lake, located in Kentucky's Carter and Elliott counties, four days after she was first reported missing.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
Preposition
  • Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told Fox News Digital that investigators and the FBI have examined numerous ransom communications throughout the case, with some determined to be fraudulent and others considered potentially credible.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
  • While earlier concepts called for flip-up chairback seating throughout the stadium, engineers determined the historic venue's existing structure could not accommodate those seats without significantly reducing capacity or requiring major reconstruction.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Cite this Entry

“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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