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Definition of thereby

thereby

/ˌðɛərˈbaɪ/
there · by
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thereby Lexical Profile

thereby Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

By that means; as a result of that action or circumstance.

Example

"The company automated its inventory system, thereby reducing operating costs significantly."

2

Near or beside that place or thing; in connection with that matter (now chiefly archaic or in fixed idioms such as 'thereby hangs a tale').

Example

"She noticed the old brass key on the mantel, and knew that thereby hung a tale."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for thereby

Word Nuance & Usage

In contemporary English, 'thereby' is predominantly used in formal, academic, or legal contexts and is most naturally followed by a present participle (e.g., 'thereby reducing costs') rather than a finite verb.

• Rhymes for thereby

• Nearby Words

thereabout
thereabouts
thereafter
thereby
therefore
therein
thereof

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Old English 'þærbi', a compound of 'þær' (there) and 'bi' (by), a construction common across Germanic languages where demonstrative adverbs combine with prepositions.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thereby. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thereby
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