line of reasoning
noun phrase
: a set of reasons used in order to reach a conclusion
She chose to follow a particular line of reasoning.
I don't follow your line of reasoning.
Examples of line of reasoning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hamilton’s primary argument against this line of reasoning is that the major questions doctrine does not apply to the president at all, only to actions by federal agencies that are subordinate to the president.
—
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
If that line of reasoning is too mawkish and bleeding-heart for your taste, Worsley makes a more pragmatic argument for a generous, welcoming immigration policy, one unsentimentally rooted in cold dollars and cents.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Falk disputed that line of reasoning, insisting that stock was simply another form of compensation in the endorsement deal and thus was commissionable as marketing income.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Read: The cruel attack on USAID Today, however, that line of reasoning is failing.
—Maany Peyvan, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
This line of reasoning sees more deliberate intent in China’s behavior than there actually is.
—Michael D. Swaine, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2020
Asian-American proponents of this line of reasoning emphasize—as Wai Wah Chin, the founding president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater New York, wrote in another op-ed for the Post—
testing and excellence, not participation trophies or dumbing down.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
Under that line of reasoning, Flores arguably knew or should have known the constitution could be amended and thus the arbitration clause could change, too.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2024
This can leak over into the first four steps and the entire line of reasoning begins to fall apart.
Consider two ways to possibly cope with this:
Bad approach: Get caught off-guard, keep mentally stepping forward, and your train of thought goes awry.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
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Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
If that line of reasoning is too mawkish and bleeding-heart for your taste, Worsley makes a more pragmatic argument for a generous, welcoming immigration policy, one unsentimentally rooted in cold dollars and cents.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Falk disputed that line of reasoning, insisting that stock was simply another form of compensation in the endorsement deal and thus was commissionable as marketing income.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Read: The cruel attack on USAID Today, however, that line of reasoning is failing.
—Maany Peyvan, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
This line of reasoning sees more deliberate intent in China’s behavior than there actually is.
—Michael D. Swaine, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2020
Asian-American proponents of this line of reasoning emphasize—as Wai Wah Chin, the founding president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater New York, wrote in another op-ed for the Post—
testing and excellence, not participation trophies or dumbing down.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
Under that line of reasoning, Flores arguably knew or should have known the constitution could be amended and thus the arbitration clause could change, too.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2024
This can leak over into the first four steps and the entire line of reasoning begins to fall apart.
Consider two ways to possibly cope with this:
Bad approach: Get caught off-guard, keep mentally stepping forward, and your train of thought goes awry.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Line of reasoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20reasoning. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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