by the time is not in our dictionary (yet). Here's what it could mean:
Confidence: high
Results generated using artificial intelligence.
conjunction
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jones, who grew up in London, always thought he’d own a home by the time he reached his 30s.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
Rising energy and fertilizer prices, for the most part, have not yet been factored into such crops because most were in the ground by the time the cost increases picked up.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026
Thesaurus
Possible Synonyms
Words in our thesaurus
other words
- in the interval before
- at the moment that
- leading up to
Possible Antonyms
Words in our thesaurus
other words
- long after the fact
- in the aftermath of
- once the dust settles
