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
Those numbers are going to get better, by and by.
—Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020
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
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
Those numbers are going to get better, by and by.
—Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020
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
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 way hostilities end in the Black Sea will reshape the regional order and redefine Russia’s future as a global power.—
Galip Dalay,
Time,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Few works provide as perceptive a guide to the past 25 years or more powerful pointers toward a wiser future.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Life-threatening flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in creeks and streams, normally dry washes, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.—
Staff reports,
AZCentral.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Residents at the Slate Apartment complex in Bellevue evacuated a 12-unit block shortly before 11 a.m. Saturday due to what Nashville Fire Department’s Aaron Haddix, the commander on scene, said was called in as an appliance fire.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Just 45% picked the right answer: Current workers pay taxes that fund benefits for today’s retirees, while tomorrow’s workers will fund benefits for tomorrow’s retirees.—
Cory Smith,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Aug. 2025
-
As the president said, his hope is to interact with Mr. Putin tomorrow and sort of get a sense very quickly and early whether a peace is possible or not.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
According to reports from China, CATL failed to extend a mining permit which expired last week, sparking speculation that a massive surplus of lithium overhanging the market could soon start to fall with a future shortage and higher prices possible.—
Tim Treadgold,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
These are the questions that White, who has already faced criticism for allegedly underpaying athletes, will have to answer soon.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Centrally, by having a coltan miner as the protagonist, the film links futurity with materiality and labor.—
Ruby Thélot,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2024
-
As resulting initiatives like Spelman’s and HBCUs Outside become more commonplace, there can be a signal to a new generation of young Black people that the intersection of environmentalism and cultural resilience are imperatives of Black futurity.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Nov. 2024
Adverb
-
Life on the moon may be within reach before long, thanks to new technology that can extract water from lunar soil and produce vital ingredients for fuel.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
17 July 2025
-
But before long, Burton had received an influx of similar notes about C-sections, which inspired the podcast’s newest season, The Retrievals, Season 2: The C-sections, released July 10.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by-and-by. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share