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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
  • But that also has disastrous consequences, for different reasons.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Catcher Caden Bodine had plenty of reasons to be excited about how his first season in the Rays organization went, following a December trade from Baltimore.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of reasons
Noun
  • By 2008, everyone had grown a lot more suspicious about Washington’s motives for its Global War on Terrorism.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Anthony Kazmierczak, 56, also received three years of supervised release with orders to avoid contact with Omar, after admitting the assault but struggling to explain his motives.
    — Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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.

Browse Nearby Words

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 22 Sep. 2026.

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