as in rational
having the ability to reason
judged by the courts not to be a reasoning being who could be held accountable for his crimes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in logic
the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems
your reasoning here is faulty, for although all wives are spouses, not all spouses are wives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in understanding
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 arguing
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 reasoning
Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
That reasoning was ultimately validated in court, and the federal government prevailed.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
Lower courts had blocked DHS’s mass termination, reasoning that federal law requires parole decisions to be made on an individual basis.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reasoning
Noun
Regardless of the reasoning behind this decision, the Jets are clearly fine with experimenting with their new-look defense after their trade deadline moves.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
That reasoning was ultimately validated in court, and the federal government prevailed.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Clearly, the cost arguments haven’t been persuasive, with people reasoning the slightly higher costs are worth the improved treatment of farm animals.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
Lower courts had blocked DHS’s mass termination, reasoning that federal law requires parole decisions to be made on an individual basis.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reasoning
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reasoning
Adjective
-
There seemed to be a rational acceptance of the outcome.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In the more technical areas of philosophy — logic, especially — there’s enough agreement about what are the core ideas students should know that instruction does largely proceed via textbook.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
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All those financial resources enhance the logic behind expensive projects like desalinating seawater and transporting it, desalinating local brackish groundwater or acquiring surplus water from some limited areas in California.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The key to making the right decision is understanding all your options beforehand.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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His perspective positions the next wave of transformation not around deeper analysis, but around autonomous action, systems capable of understanding situations, deciding optimal responses, and executing those responses in real time.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Wolff sued then, arguing that her claims were the latest of several attempts by the Trumps to bury reporting about their history with the disgraced financier.—
Graph Massara,
semafor.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Several pension funds have come out against the package, arguing that the board of directors is too beholden to Musk, his behavior too reckless lately and the riches offered too much.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Caterpillar’s intelligent product lineup spans core construction and earthmoving equipment, along with connected site systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Conversely, if these foundations can be reinforced, even partially, the intelligent age may yet fulfil its promise of progress.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Resolve this by walking your own path (literally) and deriving support from people who are capable of caring about you.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
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Thomas is charged with human trafficking, while Robertson is charged with human trafficking, transporting a person from out of state into the state for human trafficking, branding in relation to human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, and battery.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His extraordinary journey from utter isolation to human connection is revealed in the Oscar-contending documentary Ghost Boy, directed by Rodney Ascher (Room 237, A Glitch in the Matrix), winner of the Audience Award at SXSW in the Visions category.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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But the tariffs spooked American businesses, prompting a court challenge, contending that the president had exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reasoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasoning. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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