1
as in explanations
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 motives
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 excuses
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 causes
someone or something responsible for a result
what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in derives
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 argues
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 reasons
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
But even casual high school boys basketball fans in the western suburbs recognize the Wolves as a force to be reckoned with by going toe-to-toe against top programs in the state under the direction of Velasquez, who is stepping down for some very good personal reasons.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
So that could be for a lot of different reasons.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
There are several possible reasons for Dallas’ cost of living decline.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Energy propels the film forward a bit more than the plot when the exact reasons why Nick feels compelled to spare Mike have to remain shrouded in mystery.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Inclusion of all communities is a value held by Austin ISD families and one of the reasons families choose the district, Ghilarducci said.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
And one of the reasons Nix wasn’t healthy was that the signal-caller had to pick up more slack in the run game once Dobbins was gone.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
While the renovation story drew laughs, Donna has been making headlines for other reasons.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
Founded by Thomas Edison, the American inventor of the electric lightbulb, the company was long an orphan in the GE corporate portfolio, kept more for sentimental reasons, some analysts believed, than commercial ones.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 17 Mar. 2026
But even casual high school boys basketball fans in the western suburbs recognize the Wolves as a force to be reckoned with by going toe-to-toe against top programs in the state under the direction of Velasquez, who is stepping down for some very good personal reasons.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
So that could be for a lot of different reasons.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 17 Mar. 2026
There are several possible reasons for Dallas’ cost of living decline.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026
Energy propels the film forward a bit more than the plot when the exact reasons why Nick feels compelled to spare Mike have to remain shrouded in mystery.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Inclusion of all communities is a value held by Austin ISD families and one of the reasons families choose the district, Ghilarducci said.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
And one of the reasons Nix wasn’t healthy was that the signal-caller had to pick up more slack in the run game once Dobbins was gone.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
While the renovation story drew laughs, Donna has been making headlines for other reasons.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
The system reasons underneath, processing infinitely complex 3D scenarios, handling trade clashes, regulations and tradeoffs - learning from user feedback over time to eliminate the need for users to supervise its intelligence.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reasons
Noun
-
Ultimately, all of these explanations paled in comparison to the big one.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Here are the most likely explanations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cynics say the motives are even more sinister.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The footage and purchase details offer a new window into the potential planning for the attack as investigators probe possible motives and the relationship between Balat and Kayumi.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the spotlight settles on each of them, that person unspools a monologue, a candid account of their origins, their desires and dreams, their galaxy of excuses and explanations.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The people who should be as jaded as the players are the owners, who must tire of excuses from sporting directors and managers about the limited results all this capital expenditure is delivering.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The causes were entangling secret alliances, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the ensuing diplomatic brinksmanship.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The presidential library also held its annual day of service in the first lady’s honor, with a community service fair focusing on causes championed by Pat Nixon.—
Jeff Gritchen,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rick Baker Much of modern Hollywood makeup derives from techniques created by Rick Baker, who innovated the field of special effects makeup.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The name derives from the biblical story of Samson, who destroyed a temple and killed both himself and his enemies.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The suit, filed in Sacramento federal court, argues California’s requirement that all new vehicles sold in the state be zero-emission by 2035 improperly regulates fuel economy — an area the administration says falls under the authority of the federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resources Governance, argues Zimbabwe could end up still dependent on foreign mining companies whose priorities ultimately lie elsewhere.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The appeals court agreed with the defense arguments.—
NICOLE WINFIELD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
What’s interesting is that both arguments are not ethically based but practical.—
Colleen Kujawa,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These fragments often convey shifting or conflicting justifications.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Shapiro’s office also determined that three of MassDOT’s seven selection committee members did not follow the instructions to record their scoring justifications on evaluation worksheets.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reasons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasons. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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