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

If Paramount prevails in court, it would be paid the bond, thereby compensating for the ticking fees and other costs. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Druids are often animists, thereby emphasizing respectful relationships with animals, plants, and physical places. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

The deal is likely to bring more commercial revenue into the club, thereby improving its profits. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

The tech industry is rapidly shifting its strategy for powering data centers to rely on these onsite power plants, thereby escaping scrutiny from grid regulators and the EPA, which is exempting private grids from key clean air regulations. — John Kostyack, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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