What
What interjection - How surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable.
Usage example: what! I can't believe we won!
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Synonyms for What
Why and what are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Why" instead a interjection "What".
Why
Why interjection - How surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable.
Usage example: why, what a strange thing to say!
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Synonyms for Why
Cite this Source
Why and What. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/what/why
What & Why. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/what/why>.
Why or What. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/what/why.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "what" and "why" have occurred on timeline