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

The Glazers would expect at least the same for their shares, thereby raising the floor of any deal. —Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

Our relationship with China over the past six months has been a very good one, thereby making this move on Trade an even more surprising one. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

Probiotic bacteria also increases Treg cell populations, thereby reducing inflammation. —Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025

This fed into local fears that video games were the newest attraction to lure youths into a dangerous environment away from family and friends, thereby leading vulnerable members of society into crime and delinquency. —Time, 8 Oct. 2025

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
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

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