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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of by

Preposition

The post received over 1 million likes and more than 4,000 comments from other Instagram users who were inspired by Lahai's affirmation process. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

The smokiness of the mezcal stole the show, while the pomegranate softened it, all complemented by the subtle chocolate. —Jeremy Duda, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025

Adverb

Zion takes cover behind a statue of Buddha in the lily pad pond, and a corpse floats by. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025

For a weakening of NATO by, for instance, policy of the United States of America, for example, that the United States of America will think to take its military from Europe. —NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025