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wherewithal was our Word of the Day on 12/14/2013. Hear the podcast!
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Origin and Etymology of wherewithal
First Known Use of wherewithal
1583
Definition of wherewithal
Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence
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 of wherewithal from the Web
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And some of them have the will and the wherewithal to be better known.
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Of course, in this post-Rex world, the State Department surely no longer has the wherewithal to bother reading such a minor cultural artifact as the first ever Longreads Books Newsletter.
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Given the huge trade disparity, the U.S. has the wherewithal to hit China harder via tariffs than the other way around, by virtue that American consumers buy more Chinese goods.
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The Dodgers have the wherewithal and high-salaried stars but not the championship pedigree.
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Sure, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska eventually will get a look, but some doubt the agency has the wherewithal or capacity to examine a deal this huge.
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Nearly two decades after online piracy forced the closure of CD stores and record labels, music companies today have the financial wherewithal to try their hands in filmmaking.
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But many sellers lack the time or skills necessary to market a home, prepare a contract, deal with inspections and ensure buyers have the financial wherewithal to purchase their property.
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These are details of virtuous, go-getters, self-reliance and outdoorsy wherewithal.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wherewithal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Wherewithal has been with us in one form or another since the 16th century. It 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 one has at one's disposal - especially financial resources, that is, money.
First Known Use of wherewithal
1809
wherewithal Synonyms
Related Words
belongings, chattels, effects, holdings, paraphernalia, possessions, things;
bankroll, deep pockets, finances, funds, money, wallet;
abundance, affluence, prosperity, success;
accession, acquisition, personal property, personalty, property;
WHEREWITHAL Defined for English Language Learners
wherewithal
Definition of wherewithal for English Language Learners
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: the money, skill, etc., that is needed to get or do something
Learn More about wherewithal
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See words that rhyme with wherewithal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wherewithal Spanish Central: Translation of wherewithal Nglish: Translation of wherewithal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wherewithal for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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