-ˌthȯl
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If wherewithal sounds like three words smashed together, that’s because it is—sort of. Wherewithal combines where and withal, an adverb from Middle English that is itself a combination of with and all. In the past, wherewithal was used as a conjunction meaning "with or by means of which" and as a pronoun meaning "that with or by which." Today, however, it is almost always used as a noun to refer to the means or resources a person or entity has at their disposal. It refers especially to financial resources, but other means such as social influence, ability, and emotional capacity may also be termed as "wherewithal."
Examples of wherewithal in a Sentence
Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Canavan disagreed, saying lower rates would boost the economy broadly, increasing wages and giving households the wherewithal to afford pricier foreign goods.
—Paul Davidson, USA Today, 17 June 2025
But with even Matheus Cunha — surprisingly left on the bench at the start — unable to make any significant impact as a second-half substitute, Wolves lacked the wherewithal to recover from the calamitous defending that handed Palace four goals.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Left has the language box, the reason, and the wherewithal to accomplish just about anything, good or bad.
—Weike Wang, New Yorker, 31 July 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 23 Aug. 2025.
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