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

The oil market remains in backwardation, a phenomenon that occurs where futures contracts with immediate or near-term deliveries sell at a premium over later deliveries, suggesting an expectation that prices will fall over time.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But the Fed under Warsh is widely expected to buck that pressure and hold rates steady next month, a consensus reflected in Fed funds futures contracts.

— Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of future

Adverb

Meier ran the Ritz Hotel’s bar from 1921 until shortly before his death, in 1947.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The past few weeks have seen the former Dateline correspondent and To Catch a Predator host state that he was not consulted on the movie and did not know about the production until shortly before the trailer dropped in May.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortly

Noun

Heavy rain will impact parts of the Upper Texas coast through east-central Texas into far Southwest Louisiana today and tomorrow as Tropical Storm Edouard tracks inland.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Send the query, capture exactly what comes back, log it and do that again tomorrow and the day after.

— Vaidotas Juknys, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of tomorrow

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

The average price of a new car could, before long, jump to $60,000 and beyond.

— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
However, the bats that the Padres drafted last month have already begun to make their professional debuts in full-season ball and second-round shortstop Elliot Lascelles could join the Storm before long.

— Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of by-and-by

noun

adverb

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