why 1 of 2

interjection

Definition of whynext
as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable why, what a strange thing to say! why, that's not possible!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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why

2 of 2

noun

1
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing asked the whys behind the surprising decision

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain how one decides that a certain person is "the one" is one of the great whys of life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of why
Interjection
Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games? — Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Noun
To use this tool requires bravery, vulnerability and honest insights into your why. — Joanna Horton McPherson, Forbes.com, 7 May 2026 Searching for a reason The time since, with no other winners in the city, has left plenty of room for those in the business to guess at a why. — Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for why
Recent Examples of Synonyms for why
  1. oh
  2. reason
  3. mystery
  4. no
  5. motive
  6. hey
  7. grounds
  8. well
Interjection
  • Certain movements may aggravate the pain, such as, oh, swinging a golf club.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Definition of oh
Noun
  • For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • For that reason, Republicans believe the seat is a likely pickup this fall in what is otherwise a difficult midterm environment.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Plus, in the age of social media and AI agents plugged into every aspect of your life, there’s something alluring about a bit of mystery; the glow of candles over screen time.
    — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • There’s much still to learn about this meteorite’s mysteries, says Anya Udry, a planetary scientist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who was not involved with the Science study.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystery
Interjection
  • At SoFi, much like his previous concerts, his performance was a reminder — no, a reinforcement — that nothing at that scale is by accident.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Technically no, though there is a brief ACOTAR Easter egg in Kingdom of Ash.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack; the attackers’ motive remained unknown.
    — Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Detectives are working to determine a motive and identify the shooter.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of motive
Interjection
  • But hey, the dating pool isn’t the easiest place to swim these days, so live and let live.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • So if that’s you, the Edge is here because hey — time truly is a flat circle.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of hey
Noun
  • Much closer, and visible from Ulum's patio and grounds, is the Looking Glass Arch (just a five-minute walk).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • But an extreme marine heat wave and a strong El Niño have pushed Southern California water temperatures closer to those of the turtles’ typical nesting grounds.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of grounds
Interjection
  • All these additions work well (although the headlight does tend to rattle itself off axis over a bumpy piece of road).
    — Loz Blain October 26, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The possibility that my father had intentionally maneuvered me toward fiction in order to avoid the truth—well, that never occurred to me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of well

Browse Nearby Words

whups
why
whys
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Cite this Entry

“Why.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/why. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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