reason

reason

noun

Definition of REASON

1

a statement given to explain a belief or act <she gave a good reason for her seemingly suspicious behavior>

Synonyms account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, rationale

Related Words alibi, apologia, apology, defense, excuse, justification, vindication; appeal, plea; guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationalization

2

something (as a belief) that serves as the basis for another thing <a firm belief that we are here on earth to help others is the reason for her tireless volunteer work>

Synonyms account, authority, grounds, motive, subject, wherefore, why

Related Words antecedent, cause, consideration, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, occasion, stimulus

3

an explanation that frees one from fault or blame <what reason do you have for being in such a bad mood?>

Synonyms alibi, apology, defense, justification, plea, reason

Related Words color, guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationale, rationalization, vindication, whitewash; cop-out, out; acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), atonement, confession; extenuation, palliation

4

someone or something responsible for a result <what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?>

Synonyms antecedent, causality, causation, occasion, reason

Related Words consideration, determinant, factor; alpha and omega, be-all and end-all; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Near Antonyms ramification; denouement (also d{eacute}nouement), repercussion; conclusion, end; by-product, side effect (also side reaction)

Antonyms aftereffect, aftermath, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

5

the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems <you'll need to use all of your reason to get out of this tight spot>

Synonyms brain(s), brainpower, gray matter, headpiece, intellect, intellectuality, mentality, reason, sense, smarts

Related Words eggheadedness, highbrowism, intellectualism; braininess, brilliance; acumen, alertness, apprehension, astuteness, discernment, discriminability, insight, judgment (or judgement), perception, percipience, perspicacity; common sense, horse sense, mother wit; aptitude, talent; sagacity, sapience, wisdom, wit; head, mind, skull

Near Antonyms denseness, density, doltishness, dopiness, dullness (also dulness), dumbness, fatuity, feeblemindedness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, imbecility, senselessness, simpleness, slowness, stupidity

6

the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities <was afraid that with all the stress he was under, he'd lose all reason>

Synonyms daylights, head, marbles, reason, saneness, sanity, wit(s)

Related Words rationality, reasonableness, sense; health, healthfulness, healthiness, wholesomeness; clearheadedness, lucidity, lucidness, normalcy, normality, soundness; wisdom

Near Antonyms delusion, hallucination; delirium, frenzy, hysteria

Antonyms dementia, derangement, insanity, lunacy, madness, mania, unreason

7

the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems <in a time of national crisis we need to listen to the voice of reason>

Synonyms intellection, ratiocination, reason, reasoning, sense

Related Words cogency, coherence, logicality, logicalness, rationality, rationalness; convincingness, persuasiveness; syllogism, synthesis; analysis, dissection; deduction, induction; argumentation, disputation

Near Antonyms illogic, incoherence; absurdity, brainlessness, insanity, irrationality, nonsensicalness, preposterousness, senselessness