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

With Butler on the roster in July, based on the current roster composition, the Heat otherwise would go into the offseason $5.5 million over the luxury-tax line, and thereby encumbered by additional salary-cap limitations. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2025

The donations were made on Giving Tuesday, which means most were matched, thereby doubling their amount and impact. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

With the Live Streaming feature, the purpose is to bring real-time video broadcasts directly to the platform, thereby evolving how businesses connect with frontline workers. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025

The reaction produces a nonflammable carbon material, thereby slowing a blaze to buy firefighters time. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing thereby

• thereby hangs a tale

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