where·with·al
ˈ(h)wer-wi-ˌt͟hȯl 
-ˌthȯl
-ˌthȯl
Did you know?
Wherewithal comes from where and withal (meaning "with"), and it has been used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." These days, however, it is almost always used as a noun referring to the means or resources a person has at one's disposal—especially financial resources.
Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence
Noun
A project as big as this requires a lot of financial wherewithal.
He doesn't have the wherewithal to finish what he started.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025
Lacking the financial wherewithal to survive such a jolt leaves them open to eviction, bankruptcy and other catastrophic outcomes.
—Next Avenue, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Dividend stocks reward investors with the potential for enhanced returns over time, and a few companies may have the wherewithal to start offering the payments, according to Morgan Stanley.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
Because a lot of the promoters just didn’t have the wherewithal or the resources to do a show of this magnitude.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wherewithal
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.
Noun
However, overall, most institutions do not have the financial wherewithal to offer tuition-free or no-loan aid programs, added Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor in chief.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025
Lacking the financial wherewithal to survive such a jolt leaves them open to eviction, bankruptcy and other catastrophic outcomes.
—Next Avenue, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Dividend stocks reward investors with the potential for enhanced returns over time, and a few companies may have the wherewithal to start offering the payments, according to Morgan Stanley.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
Because a lot of the promoters just didn’t have the wherewithal or the resources to do a show of this magnitude.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wherewithal
Cite this Entry
“Wherewithal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wherewithal. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share