BY AND BY Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

by-and-by 1 of 2

noun

ˌbī-ən-ˈbī

Definition of by-and-by

as in future

time that is to come we shall meet again in the by-and-by

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

by and by

2 of 2

adverb

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

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 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 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

Agents, coaches and teams all wanted to represent him, to sign him, to have some say in his future.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Played completely deadpan by Konopka, the character beneath this daft assemblage of aesthetic choices makes no real sense as a functionary in this dry, dark future, much less as its hero.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of future

Adverb

In 2018, shortly before her passing, Mason laid the groundwork for what would become the Emily Mason | Alice Trumbull Mason Foundation.

— News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026
Daniels later pleaded guilty to assault and was shipped off to prison, but shortly before he was released in early 2018, he was transferred to Queensboro Correctional Facility in Long Island City and signed up for a prison college course.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortly

Noun

Here is what parents should know before tomorrow’s alarm goes off.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
Back-to-School Monitor Deals Samsung 32-Inch Flat Computer Monitor A quiz to study for today, a test tomorrow, and a paper due next week—such is the life of a student.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of tomorrow

Adverb

For years, America's been in the chokehold of unnecessarily oversized pickup trucks, but recent announcements of new vehicles show that common sense – and more reasonably proportioned utes – may soon prevail.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Robinson was expected to be an upgrade over veteran receiver Robert Woods, who was subsequently traded to the Tennessee Titans soon after the Robinson deal, but wasn’t able to achieve his previous levels of success.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of soon

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

Definition of futurity

Adverb

The average price of a new car could, before long, jump to $60,000 and beyond.

— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
However, the bats that the Padres drafted last month have already begun to make their professional debuts in full-season ball and second-round shortstop Elliot Lascelles could join the Storm before long.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of before long

Browse Nearby Words

by a long shot

by-and-by

by and by

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“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of by-and-by

noun

adverb

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