as in therefore
for this or that reason
it was getting late, and wherefore we decided to move on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
demanded to know the whys and wherefores for the decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wherefore
Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
But none of those 265 pages of wherefores and whereases on the sports authority website are legally binding.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Soccer, though, did not waste time wondering about the whys and wherefores.
—Ahmed Al Omran, New York Times, 13 July 2023
The political whys and wherefores are important — and might be left to another piece.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 May 2023
As in most of Tim and Eric’s sketch humor, there are few whys and wherefores.
—Austin Considine, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
Julian Fellowes, a master writer who understands so well all the peculiarities of time and place, manners and historical significance of the whys and wherefores of his fictional inhabitants, is to be applauded.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019
In addition to gleaning the why and wherefore behind America’s foundational document, teenage listeners will meet up with the Declaration of Independence and a roster of seminal Supreme Court decisions.
—Louis Bayard, New York Times, 28 May 2018
Adverb
The musicians, especially but not exclusively Jerry Garcia, whose death in 1995 only technically ended the Dead, prove remarkably articulate about the why and wherefore of their music and the group mind that created it.
—Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
For one thing: we are reminded of the American purpose, our whys and wherefores.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
But none of those 265 pages of wherefores and whereases on the sports authority website are legally binding.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2024
Eschewing cheap shots, McBride favors a careful, winding excavation – reaching into history for the whys and wherefores of his novels’ crowded casts, while delivering whopper stories with electric finales.
—Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
Soccer, though, did not waste time wondering about the whys and wherefores.
—Ahmed Al Omran, New York Times, 13 July 2023
The political whys and wherefores are important — and might be left to another piece.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 May 2023
As in most of Tim and Eric’s sketch humor, there are few whys and wherefores.
—Austin Considine, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
Julian Fellowes, a master writer who understands so well all the peculiarities of time and place, manners and historical significance of the whys and wherefores of his fictional inhabitants, is to be applauded.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2019
In addition to gleaning the why and wherefore behind America’s foundational document, teenage listeners will meet up with the Declaration of Independence and a roster of seminal Supreme Court decisions.
—Louis Bayard, New York Times, 28 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefore
Adverb
-
This upcoming film is therefore entirely different in genre and theme from Pavilion.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
-
In such cases, the tone of the response can signal a risk of losing customer trust and, therefore, demands immediate intervention.—
Michael Podolsky,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Given the uncertainty of economic forecasting, there will probably be voices at the Fed’s next meeting arguing against a rate cut at this time, for all the reasons cited above.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
But for reasons beyond scientific interest that later become clear, wealthy arms merchant Heinrich Harlander (Christophe Waltz) is intrigued enough to fund Victor’s ongoing research and experimentation.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The fact that Prince Andrew was invited so soon after the entire controversy surrounding the biography and so many rumors involving both Prince William and Prince Harry sends a big message of support from his big brother.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Advocates for preserving the old facilities have started a Change.org petition that has so far received more than 770 signatures.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But maybe the most important thing isn’t the why, but the fact that the appearance happened at all.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 July 2025
-
Build your own opportunities, document your journey, and stay rooted in your why.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adverb
-
Founders tend to be ambitious people and the CEO of a company that is growing modestly today might think that a further round of funding will build on progress thus far to supercharge revenues in the future.—
Trevor Clawson,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Rodriguez, of Brookfield, is one of two Democratic candidates for governor thus far in the 2026 race.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative journalist and fierce critic of the Chechen wars who was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building in 2006 by attackers who were convicted without ever revealing their motive or sponsors.—
Andy Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
-
To his credit, Tost seems to have recognized that Sweeney’s bubbly beauty can serve as an effective mask for more sinister motives.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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