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therefore

adverb

there·​fore ˈt͟her-ˌfȯr How to pronounce therefore (audio)
Synonyms of thereforenext
: for that reason : because of that : consequently
Payment was received two weeks after it was due; therefore, you will be charged a late fee.
The cell phone is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

Examples of therefore in a Sentence

To understand what has happened to the earth's atmosphere—and, therefore, how our climate might change in the future—some ice-core scientists in the Arctic are training their eyes directly downward. Bryan Walsh, Time, 18 Aug. 2008
Most Irish jump racing—and therefore most of the racing discussed in the book—is the laid-back pastime of enthusiasts … Max Watman, New York Times Book Review, 9 Apr. 2006
A good approach to finding out what makes us humans so darn special would therefore be to get complete maps of the human and chimp genomes, and compare the two. John Derbyshire, National Review, 7 Nov. 2005
Characteristically, however, Darwinists, like primitive economists, assume that what is humane—I use the word here, unexceptionably, as I believe, to mean whatever arises from the desire to mitigate competition and to put aside self-interest—is unnatural, and therefore wrong. Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
I was once sitting behind a newspaper in the Swansea common room while two engineers, i.e. lecturers in engineering, therefore by common consent philistines, chatted together. Kingsley Amis, Memoirs, 1991
The cell phone is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around. Payment was received two weeks after it was due; therefore, you will be charged a late fee.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Stewart, who has been a Chanel ambassador since 2013 and has therefore worn the designs of all three of the brand’s post-Coco Chanel designers, saw a realism in the models’ mix of casual clothes and exuberantly formal ones, with jackets thrown over arms and newspapers stuffed into handbags. Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025 An advanced chip has higher performance; therefore, fewer are needed to achieve the same AI performance. Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2025 The Athletic projects their SCR will exceed UEFA’s limit of 70 per cent of total revenue being spent on player wages, and therefore will incur a financial breach. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025 Children can therefore get lost in the count when violence between parents or caregivers is hidden behind closed doors. Kaitlyn M. Sims, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for therefore

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of therefore was in the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Therefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therefore. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

therefore

adverb
there·​fore ˈt͟ha(ə)r-ˌfō(ə)r How to pronounce therefore (audio)
ˈt͟he(ə)r-
-ˌfȯ(ə)r
: for that reason : consequently
he lost the bet, therefore he must pay

More from Merriam-Webster on therefore

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