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
  • And if anyone knows of any reason this puzzle should not be solved … well, give it a go, anyway.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Still, understanding your own reason for saying yes or no can make the decision much easier.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of reason
Noun
  • What these calls might mean, exactly, has long been a mystery.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But what Becerra stands for remains a mystery that only the next four years will reveal.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of mystery
Interjection
  • Looking at the title, that colon implies that there could be other Voices albums, no?
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • That’s where any commitment to accuracy wears off (no, Andrew didn’t try to kill Lizzie during the crime, as the penultimate episode suggests).
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • Police have not disclosed a potential motive and said there's no information indicating Matthews was targeted ahead of time.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Three suspicious vehicles were stopped near the base, and investigators are examining several possible motives and connections.
    — Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of motive
Interjection
  • No stranger to the brand’s lineup (hey, Ginseng Essence Water and Revive Serum), ginseng is a key ingredient in this formula, helping to brighten dull skin, boost circulation, and provide all the calming vibes.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Hollingsworths are pulled closer together once they’re informed by Nia (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy), a detective with Homeland Security — hey, there’s one more square for your federal agency bingo card!
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of hey
Noun
  • Ming Yang, a Chinese manufacturer, has already been blocked from building a factory in Scotland on national security grounds.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The house and its grounds form the backbone of filming locations, though certain spaces on the property were either too cramped or did not provide the right lighting for film production.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of grounds
Interjection
  • And if anyone knows of any reason this puzzle should not be solved … well, give it a go, anyway.
    — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Well – well – well, the – the – the president doesn't take orders from me.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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