where·with·al
ˈ(h)wer-wi-ˌt͟hȯl 
-ˌthȯl
-ˌthȯl
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Wherewithal comes from where and withal (meaning "with"), and it has been used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." These days, however, it is almost always used as a noun referring to the means or resources a person has at one's disposal—especially financial resources.
Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence
Noun
A project as big as this requires a lot of financial wherewithal.
He doesn't have the wherewithal to finish what he started.
Recent Examples on the Web
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
Even the wherewithal to go beyond the bounds of his sport to seek knowledge reflects Kerr’s curiosity and competitiveness, his desire to find an edge.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
With that attitude, and a team that has both great ambition and the wherewithal to achieve its goals, such admonishment shouldn’t be necessary that often.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 2 Feb. 2025
Officials believe that no one should be living in the evacuation zone, regardless of their wherewithal or their supplies.
—Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wherewithal
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Noun
There’s something over-eager behind their smiles that occasionally cracks — something Yvonne doesn’t have the wherewithal to unpack and something Camille either doesn’t see or simply won’t.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
Even the wherewithal to go beyond the bounds of his sport to seek knowledge reflects Kerr’s curiosity and competitiveness, his desire to find an edge.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025
With that attitude, and a team that has both great ambition and the wherewithal to achieve its goals, such admonishment shouldn’t be necessary that often.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 2 Feb. 2025
Officials believe that no one should be living in the evacuation zone, regardless of their wherewithal or their supplies.
—Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wherewithal
Cite this Entry
“Wherewithal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wherewithal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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