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
-
Judge Timothy Mazzei ruled that the new testing is accepted by the scientific community and therefore valid as evidence.—
Michael Ruiz , Jennifer Johnson,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Brandon explained that the reason for the tight timing was that Disney insisted on sticking to the movie's December 2019 release date rather than delaying it which would have increased the post-production time and therefore the cost.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Whatever the reason behind the tradition may be, Swift and Mahomes were all smiles in the Dirty 30 photo as the WAGS prepare to head into football season together and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
For those reasons and more, Rohl’s signing on a season-long loan, with a €20million obligation provided Everton avoid relegation, is intriguing.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Miami’s play was so decisively putrid that the 33-8 loss to the Colts seemed almost a blessing because the game felt so much more lopsided than that.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The series has so far been responsible for 51 seasons during its nearly two-decade run.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
8 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
-
Pulte’s most consequential allegations thus far were made against Cook, a Federal Reserve governor.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Many players didn’t grow up watching the Border War, and thus there wasn’t the same collective understanding of the rivalry’s importance.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the shooter's exact motive remains unknown, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson said hatred aimed at everyone played a significant role.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Despite that confession, Kohberger has refused to publicly reveal his motive for stabbing the four young college students to death.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The brewing container is marked with a coffee bean to indicate the fill line for the coffee grounds, and the glass carafe has a dot for measuring water.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Aug. 2025
-
It’s frequently required that the worker fund the program, either through taxes or as grounds for employment.—
Charlotte Morabito,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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