whatsoever
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for whatsoever, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Det — At all; used after "no," "any," or "none" to add strong emphasis.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use whatsoever
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English, built from "what" plus "so" plus "ever" to form an intensified version of "whatever."
Full origin of whatsoever →Frequently asked questions
What does “whatsoever” mean?
The word “whatsoever” means at all; used after "no," "any," or "none" to add strong emphasis. In plain terms, a stronger version of "at all," almost always used to reinforce a negative statement.
How do you pronounce “whatsoever”?
“Whatsoever” is pronounced wot-soh-EH-vuh (/ˌ(h)wʌtsoʊˈɛvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “whatsoever” in a sentence?
Here is “whatsoever” used in a sentence: “He had no interest whatsoever in the plan.”
What part of speech is “whatsoever”?
“Whatsoever” is a det.
Where does the word “whatsoever” come from?
The word “whatsoever” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, built from "what" plus "so" plus "ever" to form an intensified version of "whatever.".
Is “whatsoever” a common word?
“Whatsoever” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between whatsoever and whatever?
In modern English, whatsoever is mainly an emphatic word placed after a noun in negative statements: 'no doubt whatsoever.' Whatever works as a determiner or pronoun meaning 'anything that,' as in 'do whatever you like.' In older English, whatsoever could be used the same way as whatever, and that use survives in traditional and religious texts.
Where does whatsoever go in a sentence?
Whatsoever follows the word or phrase it emphasizes, and it normally appears after expressions built on no, none, any, or nothing: 'none whatsoever,' 'no reason whatsoever,' 'is there any doubt whatsoever?' Placing it before the noun, as in 'whatsoever reason,' sounds archaic in modern English.
Can whatsoever be used in a positive sentence?
Not usually. In current English, whatsoever adds strong emphasis to negative or questioning contexts containing no, none, any, or nothing, as in 'no interest whatsoever.' A plain positive sentence like 'I have interest whatsoever' is ungrammatical because there is no negative for the word to strengthen.
Is whatsoever formal or informal?
Whatsoever is neutral and appears in both conversation and formal writing. It simply adds strong emphasis after negative expressions, so 'no evidence whatsoever' is equally at home in a legal document and in everyday speech.