by 1 of 2

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
Cinematography is by Matthew Steven Wilder, with music by Janis Ian and David Melchor. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025 Rocket Science confirmed on Tuesday that Wiig and Murray will also serve as executive producers alongside Jillian Apfelbaum and Margot Hand, with a script by Mitch Glazer (The Recruit, Scrooged). Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
As another half a dozen or so Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department cruisers rolled by, Mower credited them and the firefighters for swarming the town so quickly. Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The dogs could attack someone walking by or get hit by a car! Ticked Off, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for by 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by
Preposition
  • For that to have any chance of happening now, either via the Premier League or the FA Cup, Hurzeler needs a persistently long injury list to clear to reduce the amount of chopping and changing in selection from game to game and so produce positional partnerships.
    Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Afterward, Trace posted an open letter to his father expressing concern for his well-being via Instagram.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • The region last suffered a major earthquake in 1956, when a tremor with a magnitude of 7.7 struck to the south of the island of Amorgos, followed minutes later by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake near Santorini.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
  • The Shakopee City Council disagreed with the argument, however, rejecting a license for Top Star Market earlier this year.
    Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • But Trenin’s goal Saturday was a reflection of his style — being a menace around the net, hustling for position and making a sneaky skilled tip.
    Joe Smith, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Temperatures are expected to drop to around 30 on Tuesday night, with snow remaining likely throughout the evening.
    Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • The airport is a popular hub for jets coming in and out of the Phoenix area, especially during big sports weekends like the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, which attracts huge crowds just a few miles away.
    Hallie Golden, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Last weekend, Kendrick Lamar brought out two of the most beloved stars in American pop culture during his Super Bowl Half Time performance, Serena Williams and SZA.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • The Army flew comedians, musicians and dancers in from the U.S. to perform for troops around the world, starting just months after the USO was incorporated.
    Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
  • While the extra time shouldn’t hurt, coming back when most other NHL players have had two weeks off could help ease him back in.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • The Scorecard includes absenteeism data for 20 states through spring of 2024.
    Cory Turner, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
  • Around half way through the clip, the poster, 31-year-old Kari Thomas from Georgia, even had to hold Larry's paws to stop him from biting his own toes.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an update on the investigation into the fatal midair collision near D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport last week.
    Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Martinelli split a double team near the baseline and softly laid it in to give Northwestern (13-10, 4-8 Big Ten) the lead in the closing seconds.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
Preposition
  • That said, outside the US, commercial broadcasters continue to demonstrate resilience, maintaining their content investment throughout 2025.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Check back throughout the night for live updates and highlights, including social media posts, videos, quotes and more.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

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