reason

1 of 2

noun

rea·son ˈrē-zᵊn

Synonyms of reason next

: a statement offered in explanation or justification

gave reasons that were quite satisfactory

: a rational ground or motive

a good reason to act soon

: the thing that makes some fact intelligible : cause

the reason for earthquakes

the real reason why he wanted me to stay—

Graham Greene

: a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense

especially : something (such as a principle or law) that supports a conclusion or explains a fact

the reasons behind her client's action

a(1)

: the power of comprehending, inferring, or thinking especially in orderly rational ways : intelligence

(2)

: proper exercise of the mind

(3)

: sanity

: the sum of the intellectual powers

archaic : treatment that affords satisfaction

reason

2 of 2

verb

reasoned; reasoning ˈrēz-niŋ

ˈrē-zᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

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

: to talk with another so as to influence actions or opinions

can't reason with them

obsolete : to take part in conversation, discussion, or argument

transitive verb

: to discover, formulate, or conclude by the use of reason

a carefully reasoned analysis

: to persuade or influence by the use of reason

archaic : to justify or support with reasons

reasoner

ˈrēz-nər

ˈrē-zᵊn-ər

noun

Phrases

in reason

: rightly, justifiably

within reason

: within reasonable limits

with reason

: with good cause

Choose the Right Synonym for reason

think, cogitate, reflect, reason, speculate, deliberate mean to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference.

think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

Example Sentences

Noun I gave a reason for my absence. Is there a reason for your strange behavior? There is a reason why they don't want to come. I can't give you the report for the simple reason that it isn't yet finished. She explained her reasons for deciding to change jobs. He wanted to know the reason for their decision. Give me one good reason why I should believe you. For obvious reasons, we can't do that yet. For reasons of space, some of the charts and graphs have been omitted from the article. She resigned for personal reasons. Verb He lost the ability to reason. He reasoned that both statements couldn't be true. She reasoned that something must be wrong. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The nuns and their pastor at the Gower Abbey conduct Masses and prayer services in Latin, using the Traditional Latin Mass – a rite within Catholicism that the FBI considered using as a reason to conduct anti-domestic terrorism activities. —

Thomas Phippen, Fox News, 4 June 2023 China has said that penalty is the reason for his refusal to meet Mr. Austin. —

David Pierson, New York Times, 3 June 2023 As France’s famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, arguably the greatest motorsport contest of them all, celebrates its 100th anniversary next weekend, there will be another reason for the nation to take notice. —

Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 2 June 2023 Nor did Austin Bridge and Road or MasterPlan give Bazaldua a prior heads-up about the reason for the February filing. —

Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, 2 June 2023 Chhabra added that another potential reason why both treatments are being recommended now is that they are considered more accessible and affordable for patients because they’re sold OTC and are relatively low-cost. —

Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 2 June 2023 The reasons for reevaluating one’s relationship with bras are plentiful, but a common thread appears to be a journey toward body neutrality. —

ELLE, 2 June 2023 There are plenty, but the biggest reason people love them is that they're cost effective compared to in-office whitening treatments. —

Neha Tandon, womenshealthmag.com, 2 June 2023 In short, there are a lot of reasons to let this questionable project die. —

Heather Souvaine Horn, The New Republic, 2 June 2023

Verb

Strong longtermists prioritize the well-being of future generations over the well-being of people alive today, reasoning effective altruists will make the biggest impact by solving long-term problems because exponentially more people will live in the future than live now. —

Emily Washburn, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023 Auto assembly-line workers are typically idled during a new-model changeover, and the president reasoned that if their idle period were to happen earlier in the fall, autoworkers would be able to maintain employment through the holiday season and would thus be able to spend more money. —

Greg Fink, Car and Driver, 27 Feb. 2023 After all, Chief Justice John Roberts reasoned, Americans expect their public officials to be responsive to the public and do things on behalf of their constituents. —

Matt Ford, The New Republic, 11 May 2023 The only possible groaner, a joke about school shootings, clearly worked with the improv audience but, Wood reasoned, needed to come later in Saturday’s set, once the audience had grown to trust him a bit. —

Wesley Lowery, Washington Post, 1 May 2023 This science around brain development on top of Miller’s existing mental disorders and traumatic past had significant ramifications on his ability to reason and make decisions, Cunningham said. —

Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 27 Apr. 2023 Macron counting on China's Xi 'to reason' with Russia over Ukraine war Finnair, which operates out of a major aviation hub at Helsinki, has been hit the most due to its proximity to Russia, according to Donceel. —

Xiaofei Xu, CNN, 25 Apr. 2023 No, Mickelson reasoned, tradition would prevail at Augusta National Golf Club, surely among sports’ safest wagers. —

Alan Blinder, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2023 Mike Coons, president of an organization called Concerned Conservatives of Alaska, testified in support of Marcum’s nomination, reasoning that Dunleavy’s proposed 2019 cuts to the university system were beneficial. —

Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reason.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English resoun, from Anglo-French raisun, from Latin ration-, ratio "reckoning, calculation, explanation," from reri "to calculate, think;" probably akin to Goth rathjo "account, explanation"

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2b

Time Traveler

The first known use of reason was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century