whys

noun

plural of why
1
as in reasons
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing asked the whys behind the surprising decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in mysteries
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whys
  1. reasons
  2. mysteries
  3. motives
Noun
  • Someone who bought a Powerball ticket at a Front Range grocery store this week has many, many reasons to celebrate – 500,000 reasons before tax, to be exact.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Maresca knows that some players need a fresh start for various reasons, which is why James Trafford moved on, despite his close relationship with the Italian from their time together in the under-23s.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of reasons
Noun
  • Now, after a yearlong delay, an expedition that some believe represents the best chance at solving one of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century is set to take place this fall.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • That bestselling author of all time whose mysteries make for very good bedtime read-aloud sessions with one’s partner.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of mysteries
Noun
  • Nobody’s motives seem 100 percent pure in Monsters of God, self-assessments notwithstanding.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The internet backlash was swift, calling out the event as a ridiculous expense and calling into question OpenAI's motives.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of motives
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.

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why
whys
wicked
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Cite this Entry

“Whys.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whys. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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