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
  • All the more reason for leaders to play the generosity sweepstakes in ways that are advantageous to them.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For that reason, Everett’s proposal is known as the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • To get to the bottom of the mystery of the article’s spurious dating, Cade and a team of researchers from around the globe sifted through historic reports and observations of geomagnetic activity to set the record straight.
    — Mike McRae October 15, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In the first, a best-selling mystery author dies, and Benoit Blanc, a charismatic and inquisitive private eye played by Daniel Craig, must investigate.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystery
Interjection
  • When opportunities arose to expand into other sporting goods, other mechanical components, other markets entirely, the answer was consistently no.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Seeing the social media reaction to Murphy's absurdist comments, the answer to that is, of course, no because underdog narratives, no matter how fake, are still immensely popular.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • Officials, developers and their architects and engineers have either declined to comment or questioned the researchers’ motives while assuring the public that the buildings are safe.
    — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Police have not verified either claim, and no motive has been established.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of motive
Interjection
  • Like, hey, here is Match Window 14, and here are the fixtures for that match week.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
  • There are no dates or prices available for the USA at this point, but hey, there's always the 675SS, which now sells for an equally outrageous US$7,499.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of hey
Noun
  • Just like their first Beverly Hills abode, the home was complete with resort-like grounds.
    — Juliana Ukiomogbe, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In contrast, peregrine falcons that breed in Alaska migrate almost directly south, dispersing across the Americas to wintering grounds that extend as far as southern South America.
    — Amy L. Scarpignato, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of grounds
Interjection
  • As for the people who still want to knock rock and roll down a peg and claim the Nobel Prize made a grave error in judgement with their 2016 winner, well, Riley has just one thing to say.
    — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The test well was also just 2 inches (5 centimeters) wide, compared to oil, gas, and onshore geothermal wells that typically have casings 20 to 36 inches (51 to 91 centimeters) across.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 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 22 Oct. 2026.

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