therefore

adverb

there·​fore ˈt͟her-ˌfȯr How to pronounce therefore (audio)
Synonyms of thereforenext
: for that reason : because of that : consequently
Payment was received two weeks after it was due; therefore, you will be charged a late fee.
The cell phone is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

Examples of therefore in a Sentence

To understand what has happened to the earth's atmosphere—and, therefore, how our climate might change in the future—some ice-core scientists in the Arctic are training their eyes directly downward. Bryan Walsh, Time, 18 Aug. 2008
Most Irish jump racing—and therefore most of the racing discussed in the book—is the laid-back pastime of enthusiasts … Max Watman, New York Times Book Review, 9 Apr. 2006
A good approach to finding out what makes us humans so darn special would therefore be to get complete maps of the human and chimp genomes, and compare the two. John Derbyshire, National Review, 7 Nov. 2005
Characteristically, however, Darwinists, like primitive economists, assume that what is humane—I use the word here, unexceptionably, as I believe, to mean whatever arises from the desire to mitigate competition and to put aside self-interest—is unnatural, and therefore wrong. Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
I was once sitting behind a newspaper in the Swansea common room while two engineers, i.e. lecturers in engineering, therefore by common consent philistines, chatted together. Kingsley Amis, Memoirs, 1991
The cell phone is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around. Payment was received two weeks after it was due; therefore, you will be charged a late fee.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
As a common treatment for burns, aloe vera is perceived as natural and therefore harmless by many consumers, experts say. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026 But the finding of children learning more people and furniture words was unexpected because previous research suggested that more digital media time is associated with fewer face-to-face interactions and therefore fewer opportunities to learn these kinds of words. Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026 Scientists have therefore long been hunting for a third way to measure the Hubble constant as an extra way of checking its true value. Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2026 But that case involved a determination by a court that an individual posed a threat to the safety of others and therefore could be disarmed temporarily. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for therefore

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of therefore was in the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Therefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therefore. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

therefore

adverb
there·​fore ˈt͟ha(ə)r-ˌfō(ə)r How to pronounce therefore (audio)
ˈt͟he(ə)r-
-ˌfȯ(ə)r
: for that reason : consequently
he lost the bet, therefore he must pay

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