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
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Recent Examples of reason
Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025
Rensch describes the most painful moment of his time with the group as being when he was separated from his mother, with his future success at chess given as a main reason why that move was orchestrated.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Gooding reasoned that the law provides an answer to this twist.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Noun
The reason so many people feel off track when daylight savings time ends is because light has a profound effect on the circadian rhythm, the body’s natural 24-hour clock that dictates when one sleeps and wakes.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 Oct. 2025
Rensch describes the most painful moment of his time with the group as being when he was separated from his mother, with his future success at chess given as a main reason why that move was orchestrated.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
If Newman couldn’t have killed Scott, the police reasoned, perhaps his brother had.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Gooding reasoned that the law provides an answer to this twist.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
Noun
-
But the idea that Earhart ended up an island castaway is far from widely accepted, and another team of researchers is racing to close in on proof of an alternate explanation.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Scientists researched the phenomenon for decades without finding a logical explanation.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Here are the major revelations from the interview and the leading theories about Wuornos’s motives.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
-
While the workers, in the trees, stay still, the bull’s looming, drifting presence gives frozen stillness an unambiguous motive and makes moments when people shift and even leap from branch to branch terrifyingly suspenseful.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Matt Baker says Florida coaches are out of excuses moving forward, Bruce Feldman breaks down the candidates to replace Napier and Chris Vannini has the pluses and minuses of the job.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Bills have draft capital to move, too, so there's really no excuse not to get something done.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The actress has been a lifelong supporter of liberal and progressive causes, from transgender rights to electing more women to political office.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Potential adversaries interpret political action in zero-sum terms; see malice and evil design in mere blunders and coincidence; trumpet necessity rather than navigate choice; and, in extreme cases, invent pretext or promise profit to make more palatable a dubious cause.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This, plus the ongoing calls among family members, maintains a powerful sense of human connection and love.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The move turned out to be a blessing for Harrison, who has felt a sense of relief since leaving the dating show.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of the respondents, 30% said having a conversation about family health history had never crossed their minds and 20% said their families don't talk about health openly.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The future is at the forefront of your mind.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
While no specific storyline explanation was given on the broadcast for their exclusion beyond Pearce barring them earlier in the night, the reasoning reported ties into a larger, long-term strategy WWE has for Breakker.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Of course, a reliable method for measuring a team’s performance is to use underlying metrics to understand the team’s process more than its outcomes.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The clip then smash-cuts to a scene of Bruce as a child listening to his parents fight in the next room, and we’re meant to understand that the joy and power that steams off of the stage is a cure for the pain of childhood wounds.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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