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

So there's a widening gap between the small constellation of global superstars and everyone else struggling to get by in local, grassroots music scenes. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025

When planted in groups or close to other plants, helenium (Helenium autumnale) may get by without staking, especially the shorter varieties. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025

Angels right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. raced in and fell short in his attempt to make a diving catch, the ball getting by him and allowing Perdomo to score from first on the double for a 5-1 lead. —Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 13 July 2025

Superman gets by on dramatic and emotional shorthand, struggling to earn its larger-than-life pathos. —Rory Doherty, Vulture, 11 July 2025