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
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
Whether giving many people a lot of false beliefs is harmless depends of course on the content of the beliefs and the more general impact on people’s ability to reason about matters that can impact their wellbeing.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 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
To debate, to reason, to interrogate ideas.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025
Whether giving many people a lot of false beliefs is harmless depends of course on the content of the beliefs and the more general impact on people’s ability to reason about matters that can impact their wellbeing.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
Noun
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Much like cast-trip destinations, there often is very little rhyme or reason to a Real Housewives theme party — so instead, production (and/or the women) are tasked with coming up with some shoehorned explanation.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 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
-
If anything, there is even more cause for this matter to remain accessible to the public.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
-
At this time, the containment status is unknown and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Filler shots of chauffeurs, champagne and colossal walk-in closets with pristine designer clobber glistening and gleaming from glass shelves centred around trays and trays of priceless jewels assault the viewer’s senses between almost every scene.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
For all the fans’ cries for the team to go all in, there’s still the matter of dollars and sense.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Familial pairs choose the experimental merge for a variety of reasons, including a mother with Alzheimer’s linking her mind with her daughter; teenage brothers, one terminally ill; a man and his pregnant fiancée; a father and his addict daughter.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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In Hoyer’s mind, the Tokyo Series represented the culmination of the organization’s long-running efforts to establish connections in Nippon Professional Baseball, highlight the Cubs as a brand overseas and turn Chicago into a destination for Japanese players.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 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
-
Both also connected really deeply with their big-name players and understood how to communicate with those individuals to get the best out of them.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Deadline understands that 26 crew members of Tulsa King‘s 600-member crew were asked not to return for Season 4, which is expected to resume production in a week.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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