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
-
The side’s most striking feature, according to most reports from the time, was therefore their relative lack of brutality.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Like the Chinese government and most of its people, the movie evades mentions of the mass casualties after the pandemic restrictions were removed, therefore foregoing an opportunity to reflect on whether the deaths were preventable and what lessons might be learned.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Voters also tend to lean more nationalist and conservative during economic downturns, said Hajime Kidera, a professor at Meiji University’s School of Political Science and Economics – which is one reason Abe was so popular during the post-recession early 2010s.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The executive branch does not normally use the shutdown as a reason for layoffs.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
While this has not been a strength so far this year, I'd be shocked if Andy Reid didn't test the undermanned Ravens front seven -- and have at least a little bit of success.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
And so, Vladimir and Estragon wearily choose to continue waiting, day in and day out.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 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
-
The Dallas offense has been firing on all cylinders thus far, ranking first in the NFL in total yards per game through the first four games of the season.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The question looms large, and forthcoming observations may yet alter our best conclusions thus far.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Authorities have arrested Douglas Irwin Shaw, 41, on suspicion of murder, though the Vallejo Police Department has not declared a motive or clarified whether the two knew each other.—
Anders Hagstrom,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
As police investigate the motive for the deadly shooting attack, metro Detroit law enforcement is stepping up security at houses of worship.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Failure to provide additional information or consents will be grounds for disqualification, unless prohibited under applicable law.—
Time,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
-
According to court documents, the suspect used his phone on school grounds at least once, on video.—
Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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