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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

While this is online only for now, Harper sees brick and mortar in its future, whether that’s in the form of a pop up or a more permanent presence in a couple of key cities.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
The Court was right to enjoin the White House from enforcing this 'unconstitutional ban on the free press' for the foreseeable future.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of future

Adverb

Israeli troops arrived shortly before the attack, which seemed to embolden the settlers, Khrzhanovskiy said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Surveillance video shows 24-year-old Joshua Flores walking along Western Avenue with a machete shortly before his arrest.

— Logan Hall, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortly

Adverb

Some announcements could come sooner, given the massive amount of organization and fundraising involved in mounting presidential campaigns.

— Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Porter’s prediction needs several of them to take steps forward together, and soon.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of soon

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 the time when those decisions go from future to current business, including with Moss, will start creeping up here before long.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2026
Benton suggested that there’s a chance AI systems could come to exist as a sort of separate species before long.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 10 Sep. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of by-and-by

noun

adverb

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