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

He is believed to have traveled to New York City by bus in late November, and later arrived in Altoona by Greyhound from Philadelphia, investigators said. —Nik Popli, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024

Two top Syrian officials under the Assad regime have been charged by the Department of Justice with war crimes against Americans and others, according to a U.S. indictment that was unsealed on Monday. —Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Judging by how quickly this year just sped by, 2024 is clearly a girl on the go! —Kayla Greaves, Essence, 23 Nov. 2024

The Kohler Design Center and More Just as my time at the Art Preserve seemed way too short, my three-hour tour of the Design Center also flew by quickly. —Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024