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
  • After wrapping up its longest monthly losing streak on Wall Street in more than a decade, Google has started September by giving investors several reasons for optimism.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Another company might have seen the same 20% decline for entirely different reasons.
    — James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • Narrowing the superconductivity mystery The result also helps rule out a simple conventional explanation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Sinéty developed a knack for finding within quotidian domestic and village scenes—a woman brushing her hair, a picnic in the sun—a dreamlike sense of mystery.
    — Felix Bazalgette, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of mystery
Interjection
  • And before accepting a bank’s no as the final word, ask someone who works with alternative documentation every day whether the file that failed a tax-return test would pass a bank-statement one.
    — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And no, that really hasn't been able to, in a meaningful way, make up for the premiums, the higher premiums that people are paying as a result of those.
    — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • In her detective series, under the pen name Amanda Cross, an English professor solves murders whose motives include bad psychoanalysis, student riots, and biographers who know too much for their own good.
    — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Richard Novak, another defense attorney, then argued texts Robinson allegedly sent to Twiggs, discussing a rifle, possible motive and other details on the planning surrounding the event are expected to be key evidence in the state’s case.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of motive
Interjection
  • And even turning candy into a cocktail because, hey, cooking is supposed to be fun!
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And if things really go sideways and a QB3 is needed during the season, the Cowboys can have one sit on the practice squad for an emergency — or, hey, Will Grier is still hanging around as an assistant coach, too.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of hey
Noun
  • The death came as the festival endured another year with weather woes, including rain on Friday that temporarily closed a main gate to festival grounds known as Black Rock City.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Attendees will no longer be permitted to bring coolers into the festival grounds.
    — Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of grounds
Interjection
  • Housing stories in California can leave me feeling, well, depressed.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • And until those practices happen, well, Shanahan isn't ready to pick a starter.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 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 6 Sep. 2026.

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