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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In the leadup to its debut, the Apple TV/Sony Pictures Television show has been shrouded in secrecy — a decision that lends itself supremely well to a mystery-box sci-fi thriller that is equal parts philosophical conundrum and blood-chilling horror.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
8 Nov. 2025
-
When the day of the follow-up scan finally arrived, the mystery was solved—not triplets, but twins.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Interjection
-
So, no, the Supreme Court case is not an environmental lawsuit, and Trump is not auditioning for Greenpeace.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Oh no, because every musician is unique.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There’s no on-the-record admission of a sales motive by Tangem.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Guiteau’s motive for killing Garfield was political, though he was also believed to have struggled with mental health issues.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Feith wanted to keep export controls in place, on national-security grounds.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Guests can wander through Wednesday and Enid’s dorm, Principal Weems’ office, the biology lab, festival grounds, the halls of Nevermore Academy and cursed carnival rides.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
Interjection
-
And hey, guess what — Guy finishes the episode by, to some degree, taking my suggestion.—
Lily Osler,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But, hey, Aaron Judge is still really good.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Interjection
-
If that is what Talamasca wants to be, well, what a blessing!—
Lily Osler,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
That seems like, well—a giant leap!—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
10 Nov. 2025
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 14 Nov. 2025.
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