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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!

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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
  • That gives Qatar a powerful reason to keep talks moving between Tehran and Washington.
    — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Dozens of people have accused Combs of playing games with their lives, sometimes for self-serving business reasons, other times for his own amusement.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • But there’s no mystery to it, no blurred edges or murky, resonant spaces of uncertainty.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Among the 14 movies vying for the Golden Eye is Rhys Marc Jones’ Black Church Bay, a mystery-thriller starring Tom Cullen and Joe Locke about a man whose world unravels after an intimate encounter with a younger man.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of mystery
Interjection
  • In the balance could be — no, will be — how this massive makeover shakes out.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The rejection had already happened, privately, before a single person outside that room had the chance to say yes or no.
    — Asmaa Alkuwari, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • Bland said detectives were looking to interview staff and the suspect to ascertain a motive for the attack.
    — Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Schuck declined to comment about a motive behind the killings.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of motive
Interjection
  • Other highlights include Billie’s (Lucy Freyer) fixation with feeling young, Julian Manjerico’s return as the absolutely unhinged Zack-Carlos and a brilliant penultimate episode about casual use of the C-word (hey, the British do it).
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Or, hey, why not just take advantage of the cheaper hotel rates and airfare while most families are wrapped up at school?
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of hey
Noun
  • It was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane on airport grounds, where German police safely defused the device.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Six decades earlier, on the same grounds, a young Muhammad Ali absorbed a famous left hook from Henry Cooper late in the fourth round, then finished the fight in the fifth when the referee stopped it because of a severe cut over Cooper’s eye.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of grounds
Interjection
  • And the money-making opportunities that message could fuel, well—half of us are eligible to compete in such an event.
    — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Perhaps most importantly, though, is the change that no one recognized — well, no one but Sheriff Kane.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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