by-and-by 1 of 2

Definition of by-and-bynext
as in future
time that is to come we shall meet again in the by-and-by

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

by and 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-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 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
  • Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
  • That glorious future never came.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • With the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s biggest choke point for oil and gas flows—essentially shut down because of the violence, prices could surge much higher if oil flows haven’t resumed by the end of the week or shortly thereafter, energy analysts said.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
  • As a result, the upper stage ran out of propellant shortly before reaching its target deployment orbit, and the payload was lost.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bankers have set up meetings with JPMorgan’s 10 biggest high-yield clients at its annual leveraged finance conference, which kicks off tomorrow, one of the people said.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The list will be published tomorrow.
    Kathleen Saxe, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The ruling establishment will want to move quickly to show stability in the republic, with members of the assembly expected to convene soon to deliberate over possible candidates before naming Khamenei’s replacement.
    Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Her husband was deported to Ecuador soon after they were taken into custody.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 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
  • But before long, Israel was launching thousands of air strikes not just into Gaza but also into Lebanon and Syria.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The first whistles delivered by Hector Flores were gone before long.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

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