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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reason
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
There is no reason to believe that an enemy wouldn’t take a page out of the Israeli playbook and go after leadership.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
With the lion’s share of sales coming from incumbent legacy players, like Chanel and Dior, Landau reasoned that the category can be prohibitively expensive.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Noun
The two vehicles collided in a head-on collision for an unknown reason, state police said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025
There is no reason to believe that an enemy wouldn’t take a page out of the Israeli playbook and go after leadership.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025
Verb
So the courts reasoned that a plaintiff from the majority alleging reverse discrimination would have to prove more than a member of a minority group — such as showing that the hiring decision was made by a member of the minority.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 12 June 2025
With the lion’s share of sales coming from incumbent legacy players, like Chanel and Dior, Landau reasoned that the category can be prohibitively expensive.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
Noun
-
However, without explanation, the company withdrew the bid protest four days later on July 1.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2025
-
But in its most simple explanation, the Chiefs trick people.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2025
Noun
-
Barbara Slavin perceives a motive in Khamenei's actions after the U.S. attack: Ordering only a symbolic response, then approving a ceasefire with Israel.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
25 June 2025
-
What to do instead: Instead of dissecting their motives or childhood wounds, shift your attention to the actual impact their actions had on you, Brown says.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
It’s been tough to shuffle the pitching rotation, and tough to shuttle guys back and forth from Triple-A to make up for injuries, but the Mets aren’t using injuries as an excuse.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
The incident offered Russia an excuse to send in military forces and grab control of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.—
Charles Kupchan,
Foreign Affairs,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Still, the lack of a clear succession plan is a cause of great anxiety in a country where the monarch has long served as a bastion of stability.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
26 June 2025
-
The cause of the Bootid meteor shower is dust and debris left in the inner solar system by comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, a near-Earth short-period comet that orbits the sun every six years.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
There is not an American President—Bill Clinton, George H. W. or George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or Donald Trump—who has dealt with Netanyahu and not, sooner or later, come away with a lingering sense of resentment.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
-
That is thanks, in large part, to Meland’s sense of childlike wonder—not so far from that of fellow synthesizer maestros Dan Deacon and Anna Meredith.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
And all of the brilliant military minds involved in this attack.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2025
-
In a rare, bipartisan meeting of the minds, at least on this issue.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
The ‘First Day’ Problem Even with strong reasoning, every task an agent tackles is a fresh start.—
Kevin Novak,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
The reasoning, without getting too much in the NFL-roster-rule weeds, is simple.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
Agnes understands that the world is not about good and evil and virtue and sin.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
-
The mission’s detailed investigation of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share