get by

verb

got by; got by or gotten by; getting by; gets by
Synonyms of get bynext

intransitive verb

1
: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment
2
: to make ends meet : survive
3
: to proceed without being discovered, criticized, or punished

Examples of get by in a Sentence

working at night paid my college tuition and enabled me to get by—but just barely
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Brookings affordability report found nearly 38 million households would be able to get by if workers' wages rose by $10 per hour. Stephan Bisaha, NPR, 28 May 2026 Koeninger ripped a ball to center field that got by a diving Zo Palmore scoring Davis to tie the game again, 7-7. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2026 Its bedrock appeal has always been its depiction of a more or less happy family struggling to get by while running a Jersey Shore burger joint. David Faris, TheWeek, 22 May 2026 The pod formed to help each other get by. Jessica Blough, CNN Money, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for get by

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of get by was in 1841

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Get by.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%20by. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

get by

verb
1
: to make ends meet : manage
2
: to succeed with the least possible effort or accomplishment

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