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Definitions

for

[fawr, fer] / fɔr, fər /
CONJUNCTION
in consequence of the fact that
Synonyms
WEAK
as as long as because being considering inasmuch as now since whereas
PREPOSITION
in consideration of
Synonyms
WEAK
after as beneficial to concerning conducive to during for the sake of in contemplation of in exchange for in favor of in furtherance of in order to in order to get in place of in pursuance of in the direction of in the interest of in the name of notwithstanding on the part of on the side of pro supposing to to counterbalance to go to to the amount of to the extent of toward under the authority of with a view to with regard to with respect

Usage

What are other ways to say for? The conjunction for introduces reason, proof, or justification for an occurrence or action, but it does so as if the reason were an afterthought or a parenthetical statement: I was famished, for I had not eaten all day. Because introduces a direct reason: I was sleeping because I was tired. As and since are so casual as to imply merely circumstances attendant on the main statement: As (or since) I was tired, I was sleeping. The more formal inasmuch as implies concession; the main statement is true in view of the circumstances introduced by this conjunction: Inasmuch as I was tired, it seemed best to sleep.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In his 1887 patent for the “induction telegraph,” he described a system that allowed moving trains to communicate without physical contact.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

A state that prohibited slavery from its founding and sustained a strong industrial economy, Ohio became an oasis for African-Americans seeking legal freedom during the slave era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Woods developed methods for routing electrical power underground, helping to establish the foundations of what later became known as the third-rail system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

He used the proceeds to go into business for himself as a full-time inventor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

“Are you waiting for an invitation? Or maybe you want to bring in a bunch of flies, too?”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith