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
-
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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When introducing new ducks or geese to an existing group, caregivers should proceed with care to avoid conflict—keeping at least three that get along well, and avoiding mixing birds of very different sizes, which can lead to bullying.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Cortisol can also manage how your body fat and muscles use glucose.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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The rest of the crimes followed the same pattern: Sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., the suspects managed to break open a security gate and the front door to a store before emptying the register.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Get by.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/get%20by. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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