as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable
why, what a strange thing to say! why, that's not possible!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in reason
something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing
asked the whys behind the surprising decision
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in mystery
something hard to understand or explain
how one decides that a certain person is "the one" is one of the great whys of life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of why
Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022
Cain opines on the why-and-how of private mega-yachts, which have grown mind-bogglingly massive (such as the 533-foot-long Eclipse, replete with submarine, owned by Russian business mogul Roman Abramovich).
—Laura Manske, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for why
Interjection
Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games?
—Filip Bondy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Noun
The show never aims its considerable wit and girl power vibe to get a firm grip on the troubling tributaries that flow just underneath the why-ness of the show: These women, nobility be damned, are one and all inextricably tied to a fundamentally-flawed man.
—Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 12 Oct. 2022
Cain opines on the why-and-how of private mega-yachts, which have grown mind-bogglingly massive (such as the 533-foot-long Eclipse, replete with submarine, owned by Russian business mogul Roman Abramovich).
—Laura Manske, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for why
Recent Examples of Synonyms for why
Interjection
-
Uh oh, has the firefighter moved on and found love with someone new?—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
13 Apr. 2025
-
And oh, the power play Imagine a recent season in which the Rangers, in a tie game, get three power plays over the final 9:14 of regulation, including a 24-second five-on-three.—
Arthur Staple,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The reason for the independence, the Brookings Institution explains, is that politicians tend to want lower interest rates because lower rates stimulate the economy.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The reason for the increase in the Tigers’ team score came after a review of Mizzou’s third rotation — balance beam.—
Henry Chappell,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But for 130 years, the location of the infamous roots was a mystery.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Other than the color, the reason why the monks chose to bind their books in seal skin remains a mystery.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Officials are still investigating the attack and have not yet announced a motive.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Police have not released any information about a possible motive.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Interjection
-
Having said that, hey did a good job building anticipation toward that moment.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
-
The listing is pushing, somewhat aggressively, for in-ground pool installation and converting the smaller structure into a pool house, but, hey, follow your heart’s upstate calling.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
16 Apr. 2025
Interjection
-
Also, many of the views are, well, astonishingly beautiful.—
Robin Raven,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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And if the Flames play beyond Game 82, well, that would leave the Canucks as the only Canadian team not invited to this year’s Stanley Cup playoff party.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Interjection
-
Google Users Express Anger Over Data Loss Well, gee, thanks Google.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
And gee if there were only a very effective way of preventing the measles.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Why.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/why. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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