as in shortly
at or within a short time
we'll get under way by and by
Synonyms & Similar Words
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-and-by
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023
But nemesis haunts every heroic age and, by and by, this good court would succumb to the corrupting influence of lesser men.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022
The red oak leaves were staying put, by and by, of course.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020
The previous GoT prequel project starring Naomi Watts, by and by, shot a pilot in Northern Ireland before HBO decided not to move forward with that one.
—James Hibberd, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2020
Those numbers are going to get better, by and by.
—Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020
But by and by he allows himself to be coaxed into the fold.
—Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 24 May 2018
Robert Frost would not gaze off into the snowy world, telling this tale with a sigh, by and by, not yet.
—Mary O’Connell , Longreads, 18 Sep. 2017
Adverb
The character giving that agonizing scream on the dragon, by and by, is Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia).
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023
But nemesis haunts every heroic age and, by and by, this good court would succumb to the corrupting influence of lesser men.
—Ian MacDougall, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022
The red oak leaves were staying put, by and by, of course.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020
The previous GoT prequel project starring Naomi Watts, by and by, shot a pilot in Northern Ireland before HBO decided not to move forward with that one.
—James Hibberd, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2020
Those numbers are going to get better, by and by.
—Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020
But by and by he allows himself to be coaxed into the fold.
—Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 24 May 2018
Robert Frost would not gaze off into the snowy world, telling this tale with a sigh, by and by, not yet.
—Mary O’Connell , Longreads, 18 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by-and-by
Noun
-
The rebellion reached its height in the early 2000s, a bloody rejoinder to the booming economy fueled by the rise of outsourcing in IT and software, and optimism about India’s future.—
Dhruv Tikekar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
While their rivals started spending significant sums of money as soon as the 2024-25 season finished, Spurs wasted a couple of weeks hesitating about the long-term future of then head coach Ange Postecoglou before replacing him with Thomas Frank.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
The property even served as the setting for Bert Stern’s famed 1962 photographs of Marilyn Monroe, taken shortly before her death.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
The page anonymously issued opinions and news tidbits, and notably called out Gagosian director Sam Orlofsky for inappropriate workplace behavior; Orlofsky was dismissed shortly thereafter.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
How to stop constantly looking forward at an uncertain tomorrow, at least momentarily, and go back in time precisely when we’re told that history is over?—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Nicaragua and the Dominicans will play tomorrow for the last semifinal spot to join the US, Canada and Venezuela.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
With his dad at Blue Bell Park after taking a red-eye flight from Los Angeles, Andrew delivered a 421-foot blast that his dad and the USC Trojans won’t soon forget.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
However, that euphoria soon faded.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Established in 2023, the biennial prize is given in recognition of next-gen multidisciplinary artists working at the intersection of art, media, and technology to explore notions of futurity and transformation.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
4 Nov. 2025
-
This reading list offers resources for engaging with Indigenous thought, resistance, and futurity.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Both the Men’s and Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments are underway, and before long, the challengers for the AEW Men’s and Women’s World Championships will be determined.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
Of course, Qualcomm is also at Computex, and its Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme could well be nipping at the N1X's heels before long.—
Jon Martindale,
PC Magazine,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
