therefore

adverb

there·​fore ˈt͟her-ˌfȯr How to pronounce therefore (audio)
Synonyms of thereforenext
1
a
: for that reason : consequently
b
: because of that
c
: on that ground
2
: to that end

Synonyms

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Examples of therefore in a Sentence

To understand what has happened to the earth's atmosphere—and, therefore, how our climate might change in the future—some ice-core scientists in the Arctic are training their eyes directly downward. — Bryan Walsh, Time, 18 Aug. 2008
Most Irish jump racing—and therefore most of the racing discussed in the book—is the laid-back pastime of enthusiasts … — Max Watman, New York Times Book Review, 9 Apr. 2006
A good approach to finding out what makes us humans so darn special would therefore be to get complete maps of the human and chimp genomes, and compare the two. — John Derbyshire, National Review, 7 Nov. 2005
Characteristically, however, Darwinists, like primitive economists, assume that what is humane—I use the word here, unexceptionably, as I believe, to mean whatever arises from the desire to mitigate competition and to put aside self-interest—is unnatural, and therefore wrong. — Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Uniformity In Spectral Reflectance: Satellites that acquire images at the same hour and angle are inherently less noisy and therefore the computer vision models’ accuracies improve. — Elizabeth Duffy, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Some of the studies are exploring how the diabetes drug metformin, for example, might help slow down (and therefore preserve) the metabolic system. — Alice Park, TIME, 11 Mar. 2025 Comments While the women of The Bachelor season 29 were shouting over each other at the Women Tell All reunion, Grant Ellis — the man at the center of all that drama — was not yet at the studio, and therefore blissfully unaware of all the chaos unfolding on stage. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025 Scientists are therefore left searching for signs of life beyond Earth using what telescopes can indeed see — light spectra. — Perri Thaler, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for therefore

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of therefore was in the 14th century

Rhymes for therefore

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Cite this Entry

“Therefore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therefore. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

therefore

adverb
there·​fore ˈt͟ha(ə)r-ˌfō(ə)r How to pronounce therefore (audio)
ˈt͟he(ə)r-,
-ˌfȯ(ə)r
: for that reason : consequently
he lost the bet, therefore he must pay

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