reason

²reason

verb

rea·sonedrea·son·ing\ˈrēz-niŋ, ˈrē-z^ən-iŋ\

Definition of REASON

intransitive verb

1

a obsolete : to take part in conversation, discussion, or argument b : to talk with another so as to influence actions or opinions <can't reason with them>

2

: to use the faculty of reason so as to arrive at conclusions

transitive verb

1

archaic : to justify or support with reasons

2

: to persuade or influence by the use of reason

3

: to discover, formulate, or conclude by the use of reason <a carefully reasoned analysis>

— rea·son·er \ˈrēz-nər, ˈrē-z^ən-ər\ noun

Examples of REASON

1. He lost the ability to reason.
2. He reasoned that both statements couldn't be true.
3. She reasoned that something must be wrong.

First Known Use of REASON

15th century

Related to REASON

Synonyms: conclude, decide, deduce, derive, extrapolate, gather, judge, make out, infer, understand

Related Words: assume, suppose; conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise; construe, interpret, read; contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think; ascertain, dope (out), find out

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See Synonym Discussion at think

Rhymes with REASON

season