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
William ShakespeareExamples of thereby in a Sentence
He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.
Recent Examples on the Web
If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of the Act and the application of the provision to other persons not similarly situated or to other circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
According to the study, Igatuia Cavernicola likely plays an important role in its cave ecosystem by eating decomposing organic matter, thereby cycling nutrients and contributing to the habitat’s overall health and function.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
The book details how Japanese immigrants were affected by the 1924 Immigration Act, which barred them from becoming citizens, thereby preventing them from owning land and operating as farmers.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
The Democratic Socialist has pledged to maintain NYPD staffing levels while launching a new Department of Community Safety to handle mental health emergencies with social workers, thereby freeing up officers for crime response.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
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JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
According to the study, Igatuia Cavernicola likely plays an important role in its cave ecosystem by eating decomposing organic matter, thereby cycling nutrients and contributing to the habitat’s overall health and function.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
The book details how Japanese immigrants were affected by the 1924 Immigration Act, which barred them from becoming citizens, thereby preventing them from owning land and operating as farmers.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 17 Oct. 2025
The Democratic Socialist has pledged to maintain NYPD staffing levels while launching a new Department of Community Safety to handle mental health emergencies with social workers, thereby freeing up officers for crime response.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thereby
Cite this Entry
“Thereby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thereby. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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