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
Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Every character is fully developed and has a why, and every backstory is so rich.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Oct. 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
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
Every character is fully developed and has a why, and every backstory is so rich.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for why
Recent Examples of Synonyms for why
Noun
-
There’s a good reason that rooms come with binoculars because there is almost too much action to scope.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
That depth was part of the reason the 2001-02 Kings went 61-21 and took the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the Western Conference Finals.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Britain's Got Talent breakout Susan Boyle has once again teased her stunning makeover for a new mystery project.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
-
Like Stranger Things, The Boroughs features a supernatural mystery that is uncovered by a plucky group of underdogs—rather than teenagers, our heroes are a group of retirees who live in the titular retirement home.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Interjection
-
And no, the book wasn’t a prop, said Michael Arnold, grandson of the photographer who died in 2012.—
Sheena McKenzie,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
Turns out Porter voted over the weekend, in Newport Beach, which has a nice ironic ring to it, no?—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
According to Butcher, since Nancy Guthrie is the mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie, the clear motive is financial greed.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 June 2026
-
The two candidates vying for Fulton County Commission chair repeatedly questioned each other’s motives Monday during a testy debate ahead of their runoff election.—
Shaddi Abusaid,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Folk dancing, storytelling, wreath workshops, live music, and traditional dishes (pickled herring, new potatoes, strawberries with cream) fill the leafy grounds of Djurgården island.—
Lea Lane,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
That's not much of a path for female athletes who object on fairness grounds.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Interjection
-
And hey, if this movie racks up the views, perhaps the next tale will make it to theaters, with bigger co-stars to boot.—
Mark Meszoros,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
-
How about Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns (hey, the Browns’ owner, Jimmy Haslam, also owns the Bucks now)?—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Interjection
-
Second, well, there doesn’t need to be a second.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Yeah, well, someone who also gets nervous on small planes, that helps a ton.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026
Interjection
-
Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
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 4 Jun. 2026.
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