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If wherewithal sounds like three words smashed together, that’s because it is—sort of. Wherewithal combines where and withal, an adverb from Middle English that is itself a combination of with and all. In the past, wherewithal was used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." Today, however, it is almost always used as a noun to refer to the means or resources a person or entity has at their disposal. It refers especially to financial resources, but other means such as social influence, ability, and emotional capacity may also be termed as "wherewithal."
Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 June 2026
Who has the wherewithal to figure out timing like that?
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Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
25 June 2026
How the college responds could be a test of higher education’s wherewithal to withstand a hostile executive branch.
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Marie-Amelie George,
The Conversation,
28 May 2026
The big-money addition has been impressed with Wallace’s wherewithal within the defense.
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Charlotte Observer,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wherewithal
Cite this Entry
“Wherewithal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wherewithal. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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