thereby

adverb

there·​by t͟her-ˈbī 

ˈt͟her-ˌbī

1

: by that : by that means

thereby lost her chance to win

2

: connected with or with reference to that

… thereby hangs a tale …

—William Shakespeare

Examples of thereby in a Sentence

He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.

Recent Examples on the Web

The vintage suitcase that started it all was scanned and digitally printed on a handbag, the Capucines MM Genesis, and a mini attaché case with a shoulder strap, dubbed the Valisette Genesis, thereby capturing and preserving its singular patina. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

People are logically panicked about their jobs being replaced by machines, just like the men who destroyed factories and left notes from the fictional Ned Ludd, thereby launching the Luddite movement. — Pat Gelsinger, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026

The Fed’s goal is to slow consumer and business spending by raising the cost of borrowing, thereby reducing demand for homes, cars and other goods and services, eventually cooling the economy and reducing upward pressure on prices. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Per the plan, the gift amount will establish an endowment designed to support the program in perpetuity, thereby benefiting generations of students. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thereby

• thereby hangs a tale

Rhymes for thereby

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

thereby

adverb

there·​by t͟ha(ə)r-ˈbī 

t͟he(ə)r-;

ˈt͟ha(ə)r-ˌbī, 

ˈt͟he(ə)r-

1

: by that : by that means

thereby lost her chance to win

2

: connected with or with reference to that

thereby hangs a tale