-ˌthȯl
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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
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Aug. 2025
A lot of people don’t have the wherewithal to use it responsibly.
—Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
The cost of buying airtime in a regular-season NFL game has never been higher, but for marketers with the wherewithal to plunk down more than $1 million for 30 seconds of commercial inventory, no media investment is anywhere near as effective.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2025
How many people have the wherewithal to assess the defensive linemen’s positions with the clock ticking, then transfer from that assessment into attacking the back end of coverages?
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 21 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2025.
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