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

Milbank and the Michigan doctors group say boosting payments for primary care allows doctors to expand their practice, thereby offering better care to more patients. —CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

Instead of simply disposing of plastic, this approach upcycles environmental waste into a high-value medical resource, thereby reducing the industry’s ecological footprint while benefiting human health. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026

Vega said at the meeting that FNA petitioned the Lake County Circuit Court to grant it a deed to the property, thereby transferring ownership. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026

This thinning process will allow sunlight to reach the canopy, thereby enhancing fruit production and helping to combat fungal diseases. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 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
• 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