how can/could
idiom
1
—used to show that one thinks that someone has done or said something shocking or wrong
"We don't need his help anyway." "How can you say that?!"
How could she just walk away from her children like that?
2
—used to express doubt that something will happen, is possible, etc.
How could I (ever/possibly) leave this job?
How can I (ever/possibly) thank you?
3
informal
—used to show disappointment in someone's actions, thoughts, words, etc.
He threw away my gift? Oh, how could he?
Examples of how can/could in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When a seeming Good Samaritan character shows up—like Alice, heard only through the phone— our hackles are instantly raised — how can a voice so saccharine conjure so much fright?
—
Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
So how can an airport embody a concept like mindfulness?
—Lilit Marcus, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
So how can companies ride out this period of huge investment?
—Chris Perry, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
But how can this happen when resources are so limited?
—Anthony Byrt, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for how can/could
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Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
So how can an airport embody a concept like mindfulness?
—Lilit Marcus, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
So how can companies ride out this period of huge investment?
—Chris Perry, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
But how can this happen when resources are so limited?
—Anthony Byrt, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for how can/could
Cite this Entry
“How can/could.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/how%20can%2Fcould. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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