as in therefore
for this or that reason
it was getting late, and wherefore we decided to move on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
demanded to know the whys and wherefores for the decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wherefore
Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
But none of those 265 pages of wherefores and whereases on the sports authority website are legally binding.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Soccer, though, did not waste time wondering about the whys and wherefores.
—Ahmed Al Omran, New York Times, 13 July 2023
Julian Fellowes, a master writer who understands so well all the peculiarities of time and place, manners and historical significance of the whys and wherefores of his fictional inhabitants, is to be applauded.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019
Adverb
The musicians, especially but not exclusively Jerry Garcia, whose death in 1995 only technically ended the Dead, prove remarkably articulate about the why and wherefore of their music and the group mind that created it.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
For one thing: we are reminded of the American purpose, our whys and wherefores.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
But none of those 265 pages of wherefores and whereases on the sports authority website are legally binding.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Soccer, though, did not waste time wondering about the whys and wherefores.
—Ahmed Al Omran, New York Times, 13 July 2023
Julian Fellowes, a master writer who understands so well all the peculiarities of time and place, manners and historical significance of the whys and wherefores of his fictional inhabitants, is to be applauded.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefore
Adverb
-
Insurance bad faith claims can stem from different factors, including when an insurance company refuses to settle a claim within policy limits and therefore risks exposing its client to a larger liability at trial.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
But no such process exists, and therefore those things did not happen.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
New romance is a reason to celebrate!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The future of legal sports betting States that have not yet legalized sports betting may still see similar trends in financial insecurity for reasons beyond spillover effects.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The property really comes alive at dusk, so stick around for it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Every character is fully developed and has a why, and every backstory is so rich.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Build your own opportunities, document your journey, and stay rooted in your why.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adverb
-
Six different Yankees batters had challenged a pitch, the most in baseball thus far.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Sheffield will outline her achievements thus far in her first few months in office, as well as lay out her vision for the rest of her term, with an aim to inspire Detroiters to have hope for a brighter future, her office said.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sheriff said investigators would interview the parents of the 15-year-old shooter, who showed up at the reunification point, to learn more about how the teenager obtained a gun and a possible motive.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Details of a motive have not been released, but investigators said the case involved a domestic dispute.—
Mark Price
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because she was not permitted on school grounds and not authorized to take the student off school property, she was charged with felony kidnapping.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Trains, buses and the Metrorail will drop fans off at the Miami Intermodal Center, which is adjacent to Miami International Airport and across the street from the stadium grounds.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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