as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable
why, what a strange thing to say! why, that's not possible!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of why
Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
The why: Has top-of-rotation skills and potential, is healthy and — unlike most other starters — won’t be subject to much in the way of workload restrictions.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Build your own opportunities, document your journey, and stay rooted in your why.
—Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
The why: Has top-of-rotation skills and potential, is healthy and — unlike most other starters — won’t be subject to much in the way of workload restrictions.
—Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for why
Recent Examples of Synonyms for why
Noun
-
The reasons for this are manifold, but include the fact that the Academy’s directors’ branch, which decides on the nominations, is still predominantly male, and has historically overlooked the work of women.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Mansfield Summit Coach Emund Pritchett said the program lost 7 players from last year’s team for various reasons, but some could’ve been back.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mamdani emerged from this shroud of mystery triumphant, posting a photograph on X of himself, firmly straight-faced, standing alongside the grinning President.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The internet is undoubtedly already running through every possible male celebrity candidate, but for now, this one remains a mystery.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Interjection
-
Five of the six trustees voted for the measure to instruct city staff to negotiate a redevelopment agreement for the two properties with Holladay Properties, while Trustee Lauren Roman voted no.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Voting no were Vice Mayor Randy Strauss and Commissioner John Graziano.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Chief Superintendent Chris Leather called it a national security incident and said the national police force is working with Toronto police to understand the motive.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
-
How Ortiz obtained the firearm is still under investigation, per Hochman, as is the motive for the shooting.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One thing to keep in mind is that the deterrent effect of coffee grounds may be more temporary than other methods.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
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The tournament even promotes itself with that slogan, including an imposing overhead sign in the center of the venue grounds.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Interjection
-
If Naz Kadri could bring that much light to the most serious man in hockey, hey, forget the Stanley Cup, dude.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
But hey, that’s Colin From Accounts.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2026
Interjection
-
The humanitarian calculus A Kurdish insurgency, however well intentioned, would be fought predominantly in civilian terrain.—
John Calabrese,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The problem in Tuesday’s 86-77 loss at Boise State was rebounding, but the Aztecs didn’t have a problem with that in the early going because, well, there weren’t many.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Interjection
-
Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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As the spigot closed, inflation spiked (gee, maybe there’s a connection?) and the economy slowed, the state budget went from a whopping surplus to stubborn deficits.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Why.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/why. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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