what

interjection

Definition of whatnext
as in why
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable what! I can't believe we won!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for what
  1. why
  2. no
  3. oh
  4. hey
  5. well
Interjection
  • Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games?
    — FILIP BONDY, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2017
Definition of why
Interjection
  • Repeatedly, Johnny asks for just a month — no, a week; no, a day — to prove himself.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But no, Halloween isn’t one of my favorite holidays of the year.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of no
Interjection
  • Certain movements may aggravate the pain, such as, oh, swinging a golf club.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Definition of oh
Interjection
  • No stranger to the brand’s lineup (hey, Ginseng Essence Water and Revive Serum), ginseng is a key ingredient in this formula, helping to brighten dull skin, boost circulation, and provide all the calming vibes.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The Hollingsworths are pulled closer together once they’re informed by Nia (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy), a detective with Homeland Security — hey, there’s one more square for your federal agency bingo card!
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of hey
Interjection
  • Gen Z fared best, with most getting back more than 80 cents per dollar—but that’s still well short of breaking even.
    — Shae Lake, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Finally, evidence that the sky is really falling, because of discontent over, well, just look around.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of well
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.

Phrases Containing what

Browse Nearby Words

wharves
what
what's more
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Cite this Entry

“What.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/what. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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