wherefores

noun

plural of wherefore
as in reasons
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wherefores
  1. reasons
  2. motives
Noun
  • Chelsea need to be active sellers, and not simply for financial reasons.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing.
    — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of reasons
Noun
  • In the three-part docuseries (now streaming on Netflix), Berlinger challenges claims that Manson’s motives behind the killings weren’t to start a race war.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • His opinion argues that courts, even when trying to determine whether a President’s act was official or unofficial, cannot inquire into motives.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of motives
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.

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wherefore
wherefores
wherein
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Cite this Entry

“Wherefores.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wherefores. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wherefores

Nglish: Translation of wherefores for Spanish Speakers

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