Showing results for getting by. Search instead for letting+be.

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.

“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

"We were barely getting by as it is. I don't know how people will manage," she told AFP at a Cairo market.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Thousands of teachers more “are barely getting by just above the median income, living paycheck to paycheck after decades working for the district,” the union statement said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

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