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
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Recent Examples of get by
Brands can no longer get by posting the same asset across every channel.
—
Kelly Ehlers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Skinner, the Edmonton goalie shelled by the Cats in the final game, may want to forget how many pucks got by him, but the Panthers fans haven’t.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Tracee Ellis Ross always gets by with a little help from her girlfriends.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 June 2025
At last Friday’s re-inspection, May Fu got by enough to reopen with a Follow-Up Inspection Required.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for get by
Kelly Ehlers, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Skinner, the Edmonton goalie shelled by the Cats in the final game, may want to forget how many pucks got by him, but the Panthers fans haven’t.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Tracee Ellis Ross always gets by with a little help from her girlfriends.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 June 2025
At last Friday’s re-inspection, May Fu got by enough to reopen with a Follow-Up Inspection Required.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for get by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for get by
Verb
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This includes positive coping strategies such as reframing negative thoughts, practicing grounding techniques and seeking professional mental health support.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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With over 660 comments on the viral TikTok video, internet users can't cope with Nicole's way of cheering up her granddog.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
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In complex or regulated environments, speed matters, but so does cross-functional orchestration that accounts for the nuances of the situation.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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The agency was in great peril, as there was no one in headquarters who could push back on harmful things being done to NASA or get things done.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Even on this small scale, getting on the ballot will be a tough task, never mind actually winning.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
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If Brooks could get on, Fernando Tatis Jr. was coming up.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Verb
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At a time when the American government's tariff policies and 51st state talk about Canada are creating tension, the people of Detroit and Windsor seem to be getting along just fine, thank you.—
Julie Hinds,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
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China and the European Union can’t seem to get along, despite sharing a common foe in U.S. President Donald Trump and his trade war.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The same cut also manages to lead all of the following half-dozen genre-specific lists: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs, R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales, Hot Rap Songs, Rap Streaming Songs, and the Rap Digital Song Sales rankings.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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While Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has never managed to break into this category, Hulu's Housewives-esque docusoap — which follows a group of very messy Mormon wives and mothers — earned a nomination after only being on for two seasons.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Get by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/get%20by. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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