as in what-is-it
a small article the actual name of which one either does not know or cannot remember
the store sells an array of whatnots for the do-it-yourself plumber
Synonyms & Similar Words
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ˈ(h)wät-ˌnät
as in whatever
any of various other things that might also be mentioned
the drawer is full of spare pens, paper clips, stray elastics and whatnot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of whatnot
Rachael Skinner, SPIN, 16 Dec. 2024
So there’s been lots and lots documented about my corporate career, about my corporate life, even via my social media and Instagram and whatnot.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 23 Nov. 2024
In a day and age where things are more transient and whatnot, that guy put his head down and kept working.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024
Speaking of technique, individual techniques — sfumato, chiaroscuro and whatnot — are explained and accompanied by reenactments of active artisanal hands engaged in those particular processes.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whatnot 
Noun
For some people’s success is having a well-rounded life and family and whatnot.
—Rachael Skinner, SPIN, 16 Dec. 2024
So there’s been lots and lots documented about my corporate career, about my corporate life, even via my social media and Instagram and whatnot.
—Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 23 Nov. 2024
In a day and age where things are more transient and whatnot, that guy put his head down and kept working.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024
Speaking of technique, individual techniques — sfumato, chiaroscuro and whatnot — are explained and accompanied by reenactments of active artisanal hands engaged in those particular processes.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whatnot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whatnot
Noun
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Lenovo’s claim appears to be that the Legion 9i can fully cool itself with this method, no thingamajig needed.—
Monica Chin,
The Verge,
1 Sep. 2023
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Shot in 2021, the film apparently featured a crew of Ukrainian gangsters as the henchmen of Hugh Grant’s billionaire arms dealer antagonist, Greg Simmonds (who is brokering the thingamajig deal).—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2023
Noun
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In this intricately improvised whatsit, Indonesian immigrants Asri and Hasan convene every day at twilight hour, in the heart of Taiwan’s oldest city, to share the day’s news and experiences, spinning second-hand tales of migrant struggle into rhapsodically spontaneous verse.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
10 Feb. 2025
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Back then, the song was a fast, visionary whatsit, all pulsing, pipe-like synths and simple, buzzing one-bit melodies.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2024
Noun
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Neighbor-bully-jerkface Trey takes the bolt cutters to the tunnel’s electrical whatchamacallits, which causes a minor explosion and opens up that wicked grate that got Matty in ’94.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
11 Jan. 2025
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Also: how in the name of Philadelphia Flyers hockey legend Bobby Clarke did this show get Gritty, the giant orange whatchamacallit who is the Flyers mascot, as its opening night guest star?—
Gene Seymour,
CNN,
22 Sep. 2022
Noun
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This small doohickey works with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, an exclusive Prime member benefit that protects your packages from porch pirates and increment weather.—
Marc Saltzman,
USA TODAY,
17 Dec. 2024
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These days, though KitchenAid sells all kinds of other doohickeys, the stand mixer is still what the company is known for.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2024
Noun
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In fact, one of my abiding pleasures in life is finding small but transformative thingamabobs—frivolous and not at all necessary items that don’t cost much but can make life a bit sparklier, a bit easier, or just a bit sillier.—
Rachel Syme,
The New Yorker,
26 Nov. 2024
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Want to make a new crypto, or a new crypto thingamabob?—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes,
26 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near whatnot
Cite this Entry
“Whatnot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whatnot. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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