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getting by

VERB

manage, survive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cope get along get on prosper subsist thrive

WEAK

contrive do do well enough exist fare flourish make ends meet make out muddle through shift succeed

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fail lose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Many restaurants aren't even making money. They're just getting by," Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

“For those people who are just getting by, they may be thinking: ‘I’m going to deal with that later.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

“Those who manage to buy cooking gas are getting by somewhat, but most have to use gas or charcoal. There’s no internet connection either.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Any hike in out-of-pocket insurance costs next year could blow the budget of a family barely getting by.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

He had spent his whole life working one job to the next, working construction, clerking, getting by, but what he really wanted to do was study.

From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen