as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable
why, what a strange thing to say! why, that's not possible!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
asked the whys behind the surprising decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
how one decides that a certain person is "the one" is one of the great whys of life
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 why
Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
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
See All Example Sentences for why
Interjection
Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games?
—Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
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
See All Example Sentences for why
Recent Examples of Synonyms for why
Noun
-
For this reason, the tent was constructed in such a way that the crowd could see and hear the girls, but the girls could not see the crowd, a one-way mirror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Food and drink The food and beverages are reason alone to come here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Guests will also get to explore topics such as liberal Zionism and the connection between food and memory, and participate in a Sermon Slam, crafting mini-sermons from mystery prompts.—
Jessica Tzikas,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
-
Not every summer movie needs to be a mystery that unfolds hallway after hallway, with a creature hiding around every corner ready to pop out.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Interjection
-
And, no, the focus won’t be on the Gem State’s rapid population growth.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
13 May 2026
-
The bill split Republican leadership, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) voting no, whereas Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) and Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) voted yes.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Attack being investigated as hate crime Authorities vowed to get to the bottom of the motive behind the attack.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
-
Police have not released a specific motive for the shooting the suspect's name.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
In recent years, even some advocates of free trade have come around to the idea that certain tariffs can be justified on strategic and national-security grounds, especially when working with an avowedly mercantilist country like China.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Russia’s largest airport — Moscow’s Sheremetyevo — reported that drone debris had fallen on its grounds without causing damage or affecting flights.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Interjection
-
But hey, this is a cruel, unusual game.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
15 May 2026
-
And, hey, that’s probably enough.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
14 May 2026
Interjection
-
Much of the science in this story is meant to be funny, because, well, why not?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The column got mostly positive reactions — well, except from media outlets that are cheering on our descent into authoritarianism.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Interjection
-
Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As the spigot closed, inflation spiked (gee, maybe there’s a connection?) and the economy slowed, the state budget went from a whopping surplus to stubborn deficits.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Why.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/why. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
