as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable
why, what a strange thing to say! why, that's not possible!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
asked the whys behind the surprising decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
how one decides that a certain person is "the one" is one of the great whys of life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of why
Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Vulture, 29 Mar. 2023
The show never aims its considerable wit and girl power vibe to get a firm grip on the troubling tributaries that flow just underneath the why-ness of the show: These women, nobility be damned, are one and all inextricably tied to a fundamentally-flawed man.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for why
Interjection
Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games?
—Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Noun
There’s got to be a why.
—Vulture, 29 Mar. 2023
The show never aims its considerable wit and girl power vibe to get a firm grip on the troubling tributaries that flow just underneath the why-ness of the show: These women, nobility be damned, are one and all inextricably tied to a fundamentally-flawed man.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for why
Recent Examples of Synonyms for why
Interjection
-
In 2021, the former TV journalist accompanied her partner to business meetings with world leaders, a speech at his space company Blue Origin, and a charitable gala. 2022: Movie premieres, commencements, oh my!—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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And, as Alex DeLarge soon discovers, oh my brothers and only friends, conformity may be as dangerous as the chaos.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Hval did not share a specific reason for the cancellation.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
1 July 2025
-
For some reason, this album has people relating to it in a grieving way.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
With the entire dataset open to the public, the team hopes the fresh eyes, as well as graduate and undergraduate astronomers, will uncover something new and unlock clues about cosmic mysteries like dark matter and the physics of the early universe.—
Jay Kakade
June 22,
New Atlas,
22 June 2025
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But two new studies — which researchers say are among the biggest paleoanthropology papers of the year — detail how scientists were able to extract genetic material from the fossil and help unravel this biological mystery.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Barbara Slavin perceives a motive in Khamenei's actions after the U.S. attack: Ordering only a symbolic response, then approving a ceasefire with Israel.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
25 June 2025
-
Investigators haven’t revealed a motive in Lisa Lloyd’s killing.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
24 June 2025
Interjection
-
But, hey, maybe check out your local Toyota dealer just for funsies.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
19 June 2025
-
But hey, cheers to Fenway Sports Group for saving a few bucks.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
16 June 2025
Interjection
-
What had been an intensely local campaign that was unusual by today’s political standards quickly became, well, globalized.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
-
How to know if special teams players are ... well, special Via email, Rob C. asks: How can the coaching staff, specifically special teams, assess guys designated for special teams?—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Interjection
-
Google Users Express Anger Over Data Loss Well, gee, thanks Google.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
And gee if there were only a very effective way of preventing the measles.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Why.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/why. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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