whereas
8 synonyms for whereas, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Conj — In contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
in contrast
on the other hand
by contrast
Etymology
From "where" plus "as," first used in the 14th century to mean roughly "where," later shifting to its contrastive sense.
Full origin of whereas →Frequently asked questions
What does “whereas” mean?
The word “whereas” means in contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand. In plain terms, a formal way to draw a contrast between two facts.
How do you pronounce “whereas”?
“Whereas” is pronounced wairr-AZ (/(h)wɛɹˈæz/ in IPA).
How do you use “whereas” in a sentence?
Here is “whereas” used in a sentence: “She loves the city, whereas her husband prefers the countryside.”
What part of speech is “whereas”?
“Whereas” is a conjunction.
Where does the word “whereas” come from?
The word “whereas” dates back to around 1300. From "where" plus "as," first used in the 14th century to mean roughly "where," later shifting to its contrastive sense.
Is “whereas” a common word?
“Whereas” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “whereas” have?
“Whereas” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in contrast to the fact that; while on the other hand.
What is the difference between 'whereas' and 'while'?
Both can introduce a contrast, and often either works: 'He likes tea, whereas/while she prefers coffee.' The difference is that 'while' also refers to time ('while I slept'), so it can be ambiguous. 'Whereas' only signals contrast, which makes it clearer and more formal in that role.
Is 'whereas' formal or informal?
'Whereas' is fairly formal. It appears often in writing, arguments, comparisons, and the opening clauses of legal or official documents. In casual speech people are more likely to say 'but', 'while', or 'though'. The meaning of contrast stays the same; only the tone becomes more measured and precise.
How do you use 'whereas' in a sentence?
Use 'whereas' to join two contrasting ideas, usually with a comma before it: 'The north is wet, whereas the south is dry.' It sets one fact directly against another. You can also begin a sentence with it to highlight the contrast that follows in the second half.
Related words
1. Scottish2. from Middle English mid3. old dialectal form
henceafter
henceforth
henceforward
henceforwards
hencefrom
hereabout
hereabouts
hereabove
hereafter
hereafters
hereagainst
hereamong
hereanent
hereat
