wherewith

[ wair-with, -with, hwair- ]

adverb

1. Literary. with which; by means of which.
2. Archaic.
   1. with what?
   2. because of which; by reason of which.
   3. whereupon; at which.

pronoun

1. Archaic. that by which; that with which.

noun

1. Rare. wherewithal.

wherewith

/ wɛəˈwɪθ; -ˈwɪð /

pronoun

1. often foll by an infinitive with or by which

   the pen wherewith I am wont to write

2. something with which

   I have not wherewith to buy my bread

adverb

1. with what?

sentence connector

1. with or after that; whereupon

Word History and Origins

Origin of wherewith¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, wherewith is from the Middle English word wherwith. See where, with

Example Sentences

“To Hamas leaders: A life for a life, an eye for an eye and whoever started is to blame. If you punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith you were afflicted,” the leaflet read, using verses from the Muslim holy book, the Quran, that are similar to a warning in the Old Testament.

From Washington Times

"Britney is going to have to work with her attorney and she's going to have to work up a petition to terminate conservatorship, wherewith the help of her attorney, she lays out all the reasons why she thinks it's unfair to be part of a conservatorship."

From Fox News

“While Lucas still has a long way to go and his speech therapist is very concerned about the lack of his vocal volume, as well as his number of sounds that he used to consistently say, at least he’s starting to get on the right track, wherewith most children who receive their services through school, that’s not the case,” she said.

From Fox News

The New York Constitution in 1777 adopted that freedom from “spiritual oppression and intolerance wherewith the bigotry and ambition of weak and wicked priest and princes have scourged mankind” and then declared “the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever hereafter be allowed, with this State, to all mankind.”

From Salon

Cruz aspires to obtain her PhD in neuroscience, wherewith to study Alzheimer's and neurodegenerative diseases, but her undocumented status causes a lot of uncertainty.

From Scientific American