as in coping
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 getting by
As cold weather continues to slam the South, the stories of how people and animals are getting by continue to filter in.
—
Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Magallan said that most day care and child care providers are just getting by.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
For many, that’s the difference between getting by and falling behind.
—Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite all this, PG&E seems to be getting by.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The Heat’s new-look offense relies on players getting by their defender and into the paint without the help of a screen.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 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
Sadly, after about a decade of getting by, the dairy market tanked.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Dylan Lovan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Magallan said that most day care and child care providers are just getting by.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
For many, that’s the difference between getting by and falling behind.
—Kam Shenai, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026
Despite all this, PG&E seems to be getting by.
—Nick Bowlin, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The Heat’s new-look offense relies on players getting by their defender and into the paint without the help of a screen.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 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
Sadly, after about a decade of getting by, the dairy market tanked.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for getting by
Verb
-
So too does Helen, who handles her own feelings about Callie through her own coping mechanisms, some of which work, most of which don’t, and many of which center on building her own friendship with Minnie.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Patients with substance use disorders have often relied on substances as their escape lever from these deeper problems, rather than developing healthier coping mechanisms.—
Emma Fenske,
The Conversation,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Newly acquired Luisangel Acuna was among the White Sox players getting on the field for the first time.—
Matt Zahn,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Musselman and his staff were high on both early on – seems like others are getting on board with their evaluation.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the galley, Ben and Alesia are getting along fine until dessert.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
There were reports that the two weren’t getting along not so long ago, when Andrew was first stripped of his titles.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In saliva samples from 628 adults, researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi found that people living with obesity host a distinct oral microbiome, one that differs not just in species, but in what those microbes are actively doing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Gage’s Robert is also no slouch in the come-on department, gushing over Jack’s appearance and enticing him by wearing women’s lingerie and doing you don’t want to know what else.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In November, a judge rejected Nathan’s request to close off the courtroom and impose a gag order, which limits attorneys and investigators from making out-of-court statements about the case.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
As promoted, DJs Sophia Ziskin, Bea Hardy and Bryndon Cook had the room sweaty and dancing and, duh, making out.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
City staff is evaluating options for managing the orchard, including working with existing staff.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With a dual perspective, this novel follows Maya managing her grief and facing the past while mothers in China are forced to give up their own daughters.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Getting by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/getting%20by. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
