1
as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act
she gave a good reason for her seemingly suspicious behavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in motive
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 & Similar Words
3
as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
what reason do you have for being in such a bad mood?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in cause
someone or something responsible for a result
what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sense
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in mind
the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities
was afraid that with all the stress he was under, he'd lose all reason
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in reasoning
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to understand
to form an opinion or reach a conclusion through reasoning and information
she reasoned that since all of the cakes were on sale for the same price, she might as well pick the biggest one
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to argue
to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration
he tried to reason that no one in their right mind would buy his brother's old video games, but they were put on the online auction anyway
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reason
Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
And that’s one of the reasons why with him and Edwards at the helm, the Timberwolves are only a win away from a repeat trip to the Western Conference finals.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 10 May 2025
In March, Baidu released two new AI models , one of which has reasoning capabilities that the company said rival DeepSeek’s R1 model.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Noun
One of the chief reasons Weinstein’s 2020 conviction in the initial trial was scrapped on appeal was the prosecution’s parade of Molineux witnesses—a lineup of three women recounting prior bad acts of Weinstein’s, all claims of assault, but none of them criminally charged.
—Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
And that’s one of the reasons why with him and Edwards at the helm, the Timberwolves are only a win away from a repeat trip to the Western Conference finals.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
Verb
There were nearly 40 years between the first two Beetlejuice movies, and while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, the Big Fish director reasoned that another extended wait would probably prevent him from helming a third movie.
—Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 10 May 2025
In March, Baidu released two new AI models , one of which has reasoning capabilities that the company said rival DeepSeek’s R1 model.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
Noun
-
There are two competing explanations for why this happens.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
There might be an explanation behind this recent tendency, though: Barca players are exhausted, and some are injured.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Authorities said this week that a motive in the shooting is unclear, according to the outlets.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
8 May 2025
-
One student remains hospitalized almost five months after the shooting, police said Police determined the teen shooter had an obsession with mass violence, school shootings, and weapons, though a clear motive might never be revealed.—
Jared Ochacher,
CBS News,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
With its savory pantry sauce, this dish fits into my favorite genre of weeknight cooking: sauce + veg + protein + an excuse to fire up my Zojirushi.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
-
If the Jets beat the Blues, those excuses transform: every piece of adversity turns into another reason Winnipeg’s success was all the more impressive.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
Pharmaceutical remedies often mask symptoms, not causes–natural remedies like light, heat, cold, and frequency therapy can heal.—
Jennifer Pierce,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
The cause became even more personal when his stepfather was also diagnosed with leukemia.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The story is like a gentle hug, wrapping you up in a sense of comfort and contentment.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
According to sources, Shell did float the idea about dropping the 10 PM hour with CBS executives but that was put to rest after he was presented with detailed arguments — and data — why programming the time slot makes financial sense for the network.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
In their minds, the miracle cure gets worse odds than lighting striking you while a meteor lands on your head.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
As Prima stood in the hallway speaking to Ruth, her mind moved over the contours of the previous year and reviewed the evidence.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
One virtue, reasoning, is for analyzing the information and drawing conclusions.—
Andrew Abela,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
-
Former federal prosecutors and Medicaid experts told the Herald/Times that the state’s reasoning that the $10 million wasn’t Medicaid money was flawed.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
And most key is that Abby is part of something much larger, which Ellie and Dina do not understand going into this at all.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
Readers understood the necessity of balancing discretion and seduction, subtlety and audacity.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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