wherefore 1 of 2

as in therefore
for this or that reason it was getting late, and wherefore we decided to move on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

wherefore

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wherefore
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 The political whys and wherefores are important — and might be left to another piece. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 May 2023 As in most of Tim and Eric’s sketch humor, there are few whys and wherefores. Austin Considine, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020 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 In addition to gleaning the why and wherefore behind America’s foundational document, teenage listeners will meet up with the Declaration of Independence and a roster of seminal Supreme Court decisions. Louis Bayard, New York Times, 28 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefore
Adverb
  • Beauty is still an offline category, therefore stores are still very important.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In total, a modern offer from the U.S. government could therefore total over $2.2 billion, with regular payments following each year, based on Truman's previous offer and more recent comments.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The reason for the increase in the Tigers’ team score came after a review of Mizzou’s third rotation — balance beam.
    Henry Chappell, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • What are the most important experiences in your life so far?
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The lefty has struck out 16 batters in 11 innings so far.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The why: Dazzling September debut quickly escalated expectations that the hard-throwing lefty will become a major bullpen weapon.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The why: Has top-of-rotation skills and potential, is healthy and — unlike most other starters — won’t be subject to much in the way of workload restrictions.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • The economic environment is one that could change drastically in a short period of time for a long time, thus different generations have been shaped by different types of environments, and those experiences inform the advice parents often pass down.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The first team that gets to three winning courses will win the challenge outright, thus dooming the other team to final judgment.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The motive is obvious: give third-year quarterback Bryce Young as many weapons as possible while hoping the 2023 No. 1 pick continues to revive his career after an awful rookie season and last year’s benching.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • His assailant ran off and a motive for the attack still isn’t clear as police continue searching for the suspect.
    Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wherefore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!