wherewithal

American  

[hwair-with-awl, -with-, wair-] / ˈʰwɛər wɪðˌɔl, -wɪθ-, ˈwɛər- /

noun

1. that with which to do something; means or supplies for the purpose or need, especially money.

   the wherewithal to pay my rent.

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adverb

1. by means of which; out of which.

2. Archaic. wherewith.

pronoun

1. wherewith.

wherewithal British  

noun

1. necessary funds, resources, or equipment (for something or to do something)

   these people lack the wherewithal for a decent existence

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pronoun

1. a less common word for wherewith wherewith

Etymology

Origin of wherewithal

First recorded in 1525–35; where + withal

Example Sentences

Should stoppages continue, analysts warn American drillers in the Permian Basin have little interest or wherewithal to immediately pump more crude.

From The Wall Street Journal

Only a small number of firms reported having the wherewithal to switch suppliers or relocate production.

From Barron's

She said she doesn’t have the wherewithal to file lawsuits over tariffs like large companies do.

From The Wall Street Journal

Berezin expects small-cap stocks to see the biggest rally if the court strikes down IEEPA, as smaller companies have had less wherewithal to maneuver around the tariffs than larger peers.

From Barron's

Documentaries are also often made by small independent producers who may not have the wherewithal to finance a wide release — a problem Amazon does not have, Robbins noted.

From MarketWatch