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
William ShakespeareExamples of thereby in a Sentence
He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.
Recent Examples on the Web
This cyclical approach allows retirees to maintain their withdrawal rate without drawing down on growth assets during downturns, thereby prolonging the portfolio’s life.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Schumer decided not to block the Republicans’ spending bill, thereby avoiding a government shutdown.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2025
The leader of the minority Democrats in the United States Senate, Charles Schumer, D-New York, has quietly but effectively aided the Republicans on an important spending vote, and thereby increased his own standing and perhaps the prospects of his beleaguered party.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Fear of escalation and lending credence to Houthis’ claim to be at war with America — thereby inflaming regional tensions and potentially boosting Houthi recruitment — stayed Biden’s hand.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025
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Wes Moss, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Schumer decided not to block the Republicans’ spending bill, thereby avoiding a government shutdown.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2025
The leader of the minority Democrats in the United States Senate, Charles Schumer, D-New York, has quietly but effectively aided the Republicans on an important spending vote, and thereby increased his own standing and perhaps the prospects of his beleaguered party.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Fear of escalation and lending credence to Houthis’ claim to be at war with America — thereby inflaming regional tensions and potentially boosting Houthi recruitment — stayed Biden’s hand.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thereby
Cite this Entry
“Thereby.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thereby. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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