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
Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation does not provide information on a person’s time or location of parole release, citing safety and security reasons.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Priscilla, whose last name CNN is withholding for safety reasons, arrived in the city of Tepic on Saturday.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Here are some of the reasons dietitians recommend oats for heart health.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 23 Feb. 2026
This time is different; the shortage is due to maintenance reasons.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Fairly noteworthy for a lot of reasons.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
But, as seen in past surveys and interviews, their reasons for that might well be very different.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Good shared a few reasons why voters should choose him.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 2026
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
In general, these types of operations – in which security forces take out a cartel leader – lead to more violence, for a variety of reasons.
—Angélica Durán-Martínez, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation does not provide information on a person’s time or location of parole release, citing safety and security reasons.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Priscilla, whose last name CNN is withholding for safety reasons, arrived in the city of Tepic on Saturday.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Here are some of the reasons dietitians recommend oats for heart health.
—Caitlin Beale, Health, 23 Feb. 2026
This time is different; the shortage is due to maintenance reasons.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Feb. 2026
Fairly noteworthy for a lot of reasons.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
But, as seen in past surveys and interviews, their reasons for that might well be very different.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Good shared a few reasons why voters should choose him.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 23 Feb. 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
-
The team explored several possible explanations.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Do creators really owe followers explanations about weight loss, or does that assumption create unfair pressures?—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kingston criticized developers wanting to tear down City Hall and remake the area, questioning both their track record and their motives.—
Nick Wooten,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Since the start of the month, calls have poured into the church, calling for Ruby’s death and touting conspiracy theories about his motives.—
Caitlin Hu,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These are truths to confront, not cover up with excuses.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The younger guys, who may make excuses or shy away when a coach challenges them, will respect what players like Goldstein or senior catcher Gianni Corral have to say.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The park is widely considered the birthplace of American environmental advocacy, and climbers on El Capitan have raised flags for numerous political and social causes in the past.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Lee died Monday of natural causes in her New York apartment, friend and colleague Joshua Ellis, a former Broadway press agent turned minister, announced.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sopho derives from the Greek word for wisdom, mania from the Greek word for madness.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Its name derives from bundles of its tough stems, which were used in Europe by butchers to remove meat and fat from wooden chopping blocks.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Conspiracy theories, especially on the right, have swirled for years around the Clintons and their connections to Epstein and Maxwell, who argues she was wrongfully convicted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
OpenAI argues that leadership will depend on scaling infrastructure quickly and converting that capacity into products people depend on daily.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Long wait for court’s decision In April 2024, as Firkus appealed his conviction, the Minnesota Supreme Court’s justices heard oral arguments from Firkus’ attorney and a prosecutor from the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Rennekamp declined to adopt those arguments.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Past administrations offered legal and moral justifications for military inventions, such as the Bush administration’s claims that Iraq was a just war.—
Gerard F. Powers,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Their videos have turned American public opinion squarely against these operations and undercut the administration’s justifications for use of force.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reasons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasons. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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