wherefore 1 of 2

as in therefore
for this or that reason it was getting late, and wherefore we decided to move on

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wherefore

2 of 2

noun

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

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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wherefore
Noun
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 The book casts its spell in revealing the whys and wherefores of the killings, as investigated by Burke’s onetime high school classmate, Rob Barrett, a Boston FBI agent whom Burke likes nothing better than to humiliate. Lloyd Sachs, chicagotribune.com, 21 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefore
Adverb
  • On Tuesday, after the expiration of a 30-day U.S. deadline for Israel to take steps to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Washington said Israel was not blocking aid to Gaza and therefore not violating U.S. law.
    Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Taiwan and the United States should therefore remain focused on deterring—and, if necessary, defeating—a Chinese blockade or invasion.
    David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Unfortunately, for this exact reason, the studios decided to steer clear of the second weekend of November, which means there’s nothing else to talk about.
    Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024
  • The reasons for the increase include lifestyle issues, particularly smoking, lack of physical activity, and alcohol abuse.
    Jianying Zhang, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Adverb
  • Storms have become so frequent that some insurers just assume a roof with standard shingles has sustained damage.
    Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Keep in mind traffic and road closures may change based on real-time conditions so consider using a traffic app.
    Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • There’s got to be a why.
    Vulture, Vulture, 29 Mar. 2023
  • 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
Adverb
  • Keli Cain, a spokesperson for the department, told The Associated Press that assessments are ongoing, but thus far, no significant damage has been found.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
  • None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far, the FBI said.
    Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Authorities did not immediately release any other information about the man, including his identity, or offer a possible motive in the case.
    Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Although police did not disclose a potential motive, Martínez Mayen said the family believes the slaying was over money.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024

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“Wherefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefore. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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