as in therefore
for this or that reason
it was getting late, and wherefore we decided to move on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
demanded to know the whys and wherefores for the decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wherefore
Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
But none of those 265 pages of wherefores and whereases on the sports authority website are legally binding.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Soccer, though, did not waste time wondering about the whys and wherefores.
—Ahmed Al Omran, New York Times, 13 July 2023
Julian Fellowes, a master writer who understands so well all the peculiarities of time and place, manners and historical significance of the whys and wherefores of his fictional inhabitants, is to be applauded.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019
Adverb
The musicians, especially but not exclusively Jerry Garcia, whose death in 1995 only technically ended the Dead, prove remarkably articulate about the why and wherefore of their music and the group mind that created it.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
For one thing: we are reminded of the American purpose, our whys and wherefores.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
But none of those 265 pages of wherefores and whereases on the sports authority website are legally binding.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Soccer, though, did not waste time wondering about the whys and wherefores.
—Ahmed Al Omran, New York Times, 13 July 2023
Julian Fellowes, a master writer who understands so well all the peculiarities of time and place, manners and historical significance of the whys and wherefores of his fictional inhabitants, is to be applauded.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefore
Adverb
-
Reusing potting soil again the next year is therefore not recommended.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Recurring gags, like one with Madonna suddenly falling asleep mid-sentence, are surprising and therefore funny the first time they’re rolled out, and then less surprising and therefore less funny with each repetition.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
A number of British health leaders signed an open letter last week calling for the bill’s passage, and decrying delays in the process so far.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This year has also been the deadliest on record for people in immigration detention since the early 2000s, with at least 20 people dying so far.—
NPR,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
But maybe the most important thing isn’t the why, but the fact that the appearance happened at all.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 July 2025
-
Build your own opportunities, document your journey, and stay rooted in your why.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adverb
-
LeBlanc said the affected faculty members taught fewer classes than required by their contracts, and thus must reimburse the college.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The cold front will also usher in the coldest temperatures of the season thus far.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There’s no on-the-record admission of a sales motive by Tangem.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Guiteau’s motive for killing Garfield was political, though he was also believed to have struggled with mental health issues.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
When two parties are aware of a major issue that diminishes an asset and do not inform the third party of that asset, that’s strong grounds for a lawsuit.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The neighborhood’s first hotel, Bay View Inn, once sat on the park’s grounds, but today visitors will find plenty of opportunities for recreation across its nine acres, and a boardwalk that overlooks Biscayne Bay.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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