Thesaurus

reason

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of reason

1 a statement given to explain a belief or act

she gave a good reason for her seemingly suspicious behavior

Synonyms of reason

account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, rationale

Words Related to reason

alibi, apologia, apology, defense, excuse, justification, vindication

guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationalization

2 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 of reason

account, authority, grounds, motive, subject, wherefore, why

Words Related to reason

antecedent, cause, consideration, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, occasion, stimulus

3 an explanation that frees one from fault or blame

what reason do you have for being in such a bad mood?

Synonyms of reason

alibi, apology, defense, excuse, justification, plea

Words Related to reason

color, guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationale, rationalization, vindication, whitewash

acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), atonement, confession

extenuation, palliation

4 someone or something responsible for a result

whatʼs the meteorological reason for tornadoes?

Synonyms of reason

antecedent, causality, causation, cause, occasion

Words Related to reason

consideration, determinant, factor

alpha and omega, be-all and end-all

impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus

mother, origin, root, source, spring

Near Antonyms of reason

denouement (also dénouement), repercussion

conclusion, end

by-product, side effect (also side reaction)

Antonyms of reason

aftereffect, aftermath, consequence, corollary, development, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

5 the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems

youʼll need to use all of your reason to get out of this tight spot

Synonyms of reason

brain(s), brainpower, gray matter, headpiece, intellect, intellectuality, intelligence, mentality, sense, smarts

Words Related to reason

eggheadedness, highbrowism, intellectualism

braininess, brilliance

acumen, alertness, apprehension, astuteness, discernment, discriminability, insight, judgment (or judgement), perception, percipience, perspicacity

common sense, horse sense, mother wit

aptitude, talent

sagacity, sapience, wisdom, wit

head, mind, skull

Near Antonyms of reason

denseness, density, doltishness, dopiness, dullness (also dulness), dumbness, fatuity, feeblemindedness, foolishness, half-wittedness, idiocy, imbecility, senselessness, simpleness, slowness, stupidity

6 the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities

was afraid that with all the stress he was under, heʼd lose all reason

Synonyms of reason

daylights, head, marbles, mind, saneness, sanity, wit(s)

Words Related to reason

rationality, reasonableness, sense

health, healthfulness, healthiness, wholesomeness

clearheadedness, lucidity, lucidness, normalcy, normality, soundness

Near Antonyms of reason

delusion, hallucination

delirium, frenzy, hysteria

Antonyms of reason

dementia, derangement, insanity, lunacy, madness, mania, unreason

7 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 of reason

intellection, logic, ratiocination, reasoning, sense

Words Related to reason

cogency, coherence, logicality, logicalness, rationality, rationalness

convincingness, persuasiveness

syllogism, synthesis

analysis, dissection

deduction, induction

argumentation, disputation

Near Antonyms of reason

illogic, incoherence

absurdity, brainlessness, insanity, irrationality, nonsensicalness, preposterousness, senselessness

reason

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of reason

1 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 of reason

conclude, decide, deduce, derive, extrapolate, gather, infer, judge, make out, understand

Words Related to reason

assume, suppose

conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise

construe, interpret, read

contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think

ascertain, dope (out), find out

Phrases Synonymous with reason

draw a conclusion

2 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 brotherʼs old video games, but they were put on the online auction anyway

Synonyms of reason

argue, assert, contend, maintain, plead

Words Related to reason

adduce, cite, mention

affirm, aver, avouch, avow

advance, give, offer, propose, submit

advise, counsel, recommend, suggest, urge

convince, persuade

advocate, champion, defend, enforce, espouse, support

explain, justify, rationalize

consider, debate, discuss

confute, counter, disprove, rebut, refute

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about reason

See words that rhyme with reason Dictionary: Definition of reason Spanish Central: Translation of reason Nglish: Translation of reason for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reason for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reason

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up reason? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

de rigueur

required by fashion, etiquette, or custom

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games