wherefores

noun

plural of wherefore
as in reasons
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefores
  1. reasons
  2. motives
Noun
  • Among their reasons for concern is Ohio’s poor track record when women are on the ballot.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • These tools are primarily used by those who make less than $50,000 according to a 2022 Government Accountability Office report, with food and rent being the key reasons people use the service, one case study of food and restaurant workers found.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of reasons
Noun
  • While some are staunchly pro-Clarkson in the debate that has since taken over the internet, others have questioned the singer’s motives for calling out the small business across her social media accounts.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Over the decades, the motives for ending public executions and moving them into prisons have varied – frequently separate from debates over capital punishment.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of motives
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.

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wherefore
wherefores
wherein
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Cite this Entry

“Wherefores.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefores. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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