hence

adverb

ˈhen(t)s How to pronounce hence (audio)
Definition of hencenext
1
as in therefore
for this or that reason an endangered orchid species, hence illegal to pick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in away
from this or that place the exorcist commanded, "Get thee hence, Satan!"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hence Graphitic carbon nitride is inherently a poor conductor; hence, adding too much of it to the mix actually increases resistance. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026 Because the data center boom is so new, there has not yet been a comprehensive study analyzing how much more electricity and hence pollution is being generated to power them. — Anna Zarra Aldrich, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 Midterm Election Day will arrive in five weeks, and national Election Day two years hence. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026 But the Pilbara holds the world’s biggest reserves of iron ore—with 60% purity—the essential ingredient for making steel, and hence, for building much of our modern lives. — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hence
  1. therefore
  2. away
  3. so
  4. down
  5. thus
  6. out
  7. consequently
  8. off
Adverb
  • The defense of Brazilian democracy must therefore rest not only with the Brazilian people, through free, fair and transparent elections, but also with the vigilance and engagement of the international community.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • This idea—that different forms of comedy reward and therefore encourage different ways of being funny—is my main argument here.
    — Dan Brooks, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of therefore
Adverb
  • They’re drawn by its floor-to-ceiling windows and Hudson River views, plus the porte-cochere that allows discreet access to $500,000 parking spaces away from paparazzi and nosy neighbors.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some donors came away questioning spending decisions, particularly on pricey consultants and lavish events.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of away
Adverb
  • And my wife, Amisha, who had never seemed so tired, had also never looked so full of unabashed love.
    — Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In a season where layering and personal styling are so important, the belt is an essential accessory.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of so
Adverb
  • West Texas Intermediate futures were last seen about 1% lower at around $90 per barrel, with Brent crude, the global price benchmark, down more than 1% at around $102 per barrel.
    — Hugh Leask,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Another level down, the lower deck offers three VIP and one guest cabin that can collectively sleep up to 10, along with crew quarters for up to six.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of down
Adverb
  • Democrats must decide whether to take the deal in front of them or, possibly with a congressional majority next year, craft a version more to their liking that may be met with staunch GOP opposition and, thus, gridlock purgatory yet again.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Some believed that phallic icons served as protective amulets against infertility and evil spirits, thus leading to their incorporation in performances, art, and architecture.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of thus
Adverb
  • Between 50 and 60 visitors will make the trek out there on a typical day, according to David Boyd, public information officer for the White River National Forest.
    — The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The station is soon invaded by out-of-time baseball stars, fairytale villains, and unseasonal snow, all created by aliens eager to understand the concept of imagination.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of out
Adverb
  • There is little judgment of the quality of the works, and consequently little culmination.
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As atmospheric carbon rises to levels beyond precedent in human history and consequently raises the global temperature to levels unprecedented on the human scale, the importance of places where carbon is sequestered becomes ever greater.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of consequently
Adverb
  • By eliminating the Braves without needing the full five games, the Dodgers afforded themselves three days off, rather than one, before the league championship series.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Before joining OpenAI in 2020, Almeida took a year and a half off to travel, meditate and play games.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of off

Browse Nearby Words

hemstitch
hence
henceforth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hence. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All