Synonyms of get by

get by

verb

as in to cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs

working at night paid my college tuition and enabled me to get by—but just barely

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cope
• do
• get on
• get along
• manage
• make do
• make out
• make ends meet
• survive
• make shift
• fare
• shift
• carry on
• afford
• fend for oneself
• eke out
• scrape (by or through)
• last
• scrape (out)
• scrounge
• contrive
• squeeze
• swing
• wring
• wrest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall short
• fail
• collapse
• decline
• give up
• flounder
• wane
• slump
• fizzle
• peter (out)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of get by

Pilots who fly for fun and realtors looking to add aerial photos to listings will be able to get by with alternatives like the Potensic Atom 2, but its picture quality won't satisfy discerning eyes. —PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025

When trophy apartments are now synonymous with supertall towers and sweeping views, a maisonette co-op may not be the first choice for those with the bank accounts and social connections to get by the board of 660 Park Avenue. —Robert Khederian, Curbed, 17 Sep. 2025

But if a lineman — tackle, guard, or center — is at that line, or just above it, the Niners can get by. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

Much of the 31-year-old comic’s material revolves around getting by in an increasingly stupid world — half-hearted attempts at self-improvement, if not self-preservation. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025