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
The political whys and wherefores are important — and might be left to another piece.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 May 2023
As in most of Tim and Eric’s sketch humor, there are few whys and wherefores.
—Austin Considine, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
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
In addition to gleaning the why and wherefore behind America’s foundational document, teenage listeners will meet up with the Declaration of Independence and a roster of seminal Supreme Court decisions.
—Louis Bayard, New York Times, 28 May 2018
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
The political whys and wherefores are important — and might be left to another piece.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 May 2023
As in most of Tim and Eric’s sketch humor, there are few whys and wherefores.
—Austin Considine, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
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
In addition to gleaning the why and wherefore behind America’s foundational document, teenage listeners will meet up with the Declaration of Independence and a roster of seminal Supreme Court decisions.
—Louis Bayard, New York Times, 28 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefore
Adverb
-
Never as rich as its aesthetics intimate, the U.S. met the nineties financially—and, therefore, spiritually—depressed.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
-
The iPhone 16 is currently the only iPhone without parts pairing (thanks to some aggressive prodding from legislators) and therefore supports simple, easy and cheaper repairs.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
During these inspections, travelers may be questioned or their electronic devices looked through as a way to confirm their identity and reasons for being in the U.S.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
-
And that’s one of the reasons why with him and Edwards at the helm, the Timberwolves are only a win away from a repeat trip to the Western Conference finals.—
Chuck Schilken,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2025
Adverb
-
So what made Toronto’s penalty kill so effective Friday night?—
Adam Beasley,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
-
And some guys want to chat about not-so-important stuff.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
The why: Dazzling September debut quickly escalated expectations that the hard-throwing lefty will become a major bullpen weapon.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The why: Has top-of-rotation skills and potential, is healthy and — unlike most other starters — won’t be subject to much in the way of workload restrictions.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
It's estimated this will impact around 23% of current jobs, thus transforming the labor market significantly.—
Nitin Gupta,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Keep reading to learn more and to see all the images the carrier has released thus far.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Authorities said this week that a motive in the shooting is unclear, according to the outlets.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
8 May 2025
-
One student remains hospitalized almost five months after the shooting, police said Police determined the teen shooter had an obsession with mass violence, school shootings, and weapons, though a clear motive might never be revealed.—
Jared Ochacher,
CBS News,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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