by 1 of 2

preposition

ˈbī How to pronounce by (audio)
Definition of bynext
1
as in via
along the way of went by the woods to get to the summer cottage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in with
using the means or agency of try to convince them by reason alone, if possible

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in around
close to that house is right by the ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in during
in the course of she attends college by day and works at the club by night

Synonyms & Similar Words

by

2 of 2

adverb

ˈbī How to pronounce by (audio)
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time the library is close 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
Preposition
The eye-popping gains of Nvidia, Micron, Alphabet and other AI stocks have helped inflate the net worths of millions of Americans by lifting the value of their retirement nest eggs, college savings plans and brokerage accounts. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 One of the men who was hit drove himself to North Shore Hospital and was then transported to Ryder Trauma by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Last season, scoring was hard to come by for Bay, which finished with a league-low 26 goals. — Jane Kenny, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 If the volume of social media gripes is anything to go by, the Gotham Sports app hasn’t always provided a glitch-free experience for its users. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for by
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by
  1. via
  2. with
  3. around
  4. during
  5. in
  6. through
  7. near
  8. throughout
Preposition
  • Industry watchers say access to advanced compute via overseas cloud providers is a key factor in Chinese AI models gaining capability.
    — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The sport of bare knuckle is grabbing attention in the United States and in multiple countries.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of via
Preposition
  • Local processors have the opportunity to dramatically increase mineral recovery rates and improve final output quality with high-efficiency refining capabilities such as advanced sorting and critical minerals recovery technologies.
    — Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The photographer followed her midday meal with a sky-high afternoon tea at Searcys at The Gherkin, which sits beneath a towering glass dome that caps London’s most famous architectural landmarks.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of with
Preposition
  • Remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator and pile the blueberry filling in the center of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Amar Dedic has arrived on Tyneside to become Newcastle’s sixth signing of the summer after a deal worth around £30million was agreed with Benfica over the weekend.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of around
Preposition
  • Salvatore Allegra/Anadolu/Getty The man's death comes during a particularly active phase for the volcano, which is Europe's tallest and one of the world's most active.
    — Anna Matranga, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Broncos coach/Falcons villain/Bountygate co-conspirator Sean Payton took a shot at the home fans during a halftime interview on Friday.
    — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of during
Adverb
  • After Robert leaves, Bret decides to investigate the home and finds his way in through an unlocked back door.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • After spending a considerable portion of 2025-26 on the fringes of the team, Lewis-Skelly stepped into midfield for the run-in, helping Arsenal to a first Premier League title since 2004 and earning a start in the Champions League final.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of in
Preposition
  • Sabio said the proposals were developed through conversations with residents rather than solely by his campaign.
    — Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nvidia would supply computing hardware through the chip arrangement instead of directly funding construction.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of through
Preposition
  • Coleman was quick and decisive while navigating the crowded real estate near the line of scrimmage.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The fire advanced to within 300 meters (1,000 feet) of Gey, which sits on the edge of the forest near the Belgian border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of near
Preposition
  • The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel previously alleged that there were 44 victims throughout 2025.
    — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026
  • This feeling also ripples throughout the community, casting a shadow on fellow classmates, family and loved ones.
    — Narmeen Khan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of throughout

Browse Nearby Words

buzz (off)
by
by all means
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“By.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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