thereby

adverb

there·​by t͟her-ˈbī 

ˈt͟her-ˌbī

1

: by that : by that means

thereby lost her chance to win

2

: connected with or with reference to that

… thereby hangs a tale …

—William Shakespeare

Examples of thereby in a Sentence

He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.

Recent Examples on the Web

This cryptic species might spread across the globe, carried by ocean currents and its own success, in a gigantic population sweep — and bring a single coiling direction to dominance along the way, thereby preserving the event in the fossil record. — Quanta Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026

Ossoff is referencing Collins' ongoing House ethics investigation in which he and his former chief of staff were accused of paying a staffer for a no-show job, thereby misusing congressional and taxpayer resources. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Types of diaper rash remedies Creams are relatively thin and are thereby easier to spread than other options. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Sep. 2026

Letting the pros investigate will confirm the exact location of the fence, and thereby who is responsible for repairs, maintenance, or replacement. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thereby

• thereby hangs a tale

Rhymes for thereby

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

thereby

adverb

there·​by t͟ha(ə)r-ˈbī 

t͟he(ə)r-;

ˈt͟ha(ə)r-ˌbī, 

ˈt͟he(ə)r-

1

: by that : by that means

thereby lost her chance to win

2

: connected with or with reference to that

thereby hangs a tale