Synonyms of by

by 1 of 2

preposition

ˈbī 

1

as in via

along the way of

went by the woods to get to the summer cottage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• via
• through
• across
• along
• under
• near
• by way of
• beyond
• over
• beneath
• below
• alongside
• outside
• throughout
• nearby
• underneath
• past

2

as in with

using the means or agency of

try to convince them by reason alone, if possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• with
• via
• through
• in
• per
• by means of
• by dint of
• in virtue of
• by virtue of

3

as in around

close to

that house is right by the ocean

Synonyms & Similar Words

• around
• near
• at
• beside
• about
• next door to
• across
• along
• towards
• alongside
• next to
• nigh
• toward
• circa

4

as in during

in the course of

she attends college by day and works at the club by night

Synonyms & Similar Words

• during
• throughout
• through
• amidst
• amid
• over
• pending

by

2 of 2

adverb

ˈbī 

as in in

at, within, or to a short distance or time

the library is close by

Synonyms & Similar Words

• in
• close
• near
• nearby
• at hand
• within call
• around
• at close quarters
• nigh
• alongside
• along
• hard
• on one's doorstep
• hereabout
• hereaways
• hereabouts
• hereaway
• thereabout
• conveniently
• thereabouts
• handily
• accessibly

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of by

Preposition

Their campaign ran for more than 200 days, and Say Nothing realizes the extreme nature of their effort by sticking agonizingly close to the sisters’ deterioration. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

The textbook definition of strength training is built around overcoming resistance by applying muscular force in a repetitive pattern. —Matt Parrott, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Adverb

If TikTok is anything to go by, though, the number is potentially in the high hundreds. —Avani Thakkar, refinery29.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Let the soil moisture guide when to water your plant, more than the amount of time that's gone by. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024