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

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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

Over the past three months, international futures markets saw cocoa rise by more than 60% cumulatively, coffee gain over 30%, and raw sugar futures increase by nearly 30%.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Chicago wheat futures dropped by more than 2% on Putin’s comments.

— Reuters, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of future

Adverb

Meier ran the Ritz Hotel’s bar from 1921 until shortly before his death, in 1947.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The past few weeks have seen the former Dateline correspondent and To Catch a Predator host state that he was not consulted on the movie and did not know about the production until shortly before the trailer dropped in May.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortly

Noun

Heavy rain will impact parts of the Upper Texas coast through east-central Texas into far Southwest Louisiana today and tomorrow as Tropical Storm Edouard tracks inland.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Send the query, capture exactly what comes back, log it and do that again tomorrow and the day after.

— Vaidotas Juknys, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of tomorrow

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

But before long, it will be measured by whether AI helps the organization make smarter decisions and consistently produce better outcomes.

— Ganesh Shankar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
However, Bell could be back before long, whether on the practice squad or the active roster, after playing 14 games for Seattle last season.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of before long

Browse Nearby Words

by a long shot

by-and-by

by and by

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Style

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

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Synonyms of by-and-by

noun

adverb

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