reasons 1 of 2

plural of reason
1
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
4

reasons

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of reason

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reasons
Noun
Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal. Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025 Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 Layoffs have been announced at companies across the tech, retail, auto and shipping industries in recent months, with executives citing myriad reasons, from artificial intelligence and tariffs to shifting business priorities and broader cost-cutting efforts. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025 The researchers say future studies will explore direct causation, dig into the biological reasons behind it and broaden the findings across diverse populations. Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Situated on Lago Paranoá, Hotel Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada features Ruy Ohtake’s architectural design, while a full-service spa, lush landscaping, and a pool (designed to look like Lago Paranoá) give guests plenty of reasons to stay in. Greyson Ferguson, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025 Fujimura also explained the historical reasons for why Japanese IP is so strong – starting with the periodical manga magazines that became popular in the 1950s, evolving into the anime business that boomed with the growth of Japan’s animation studios and TV networks in the 1960s. Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025 Vrabel’s comments suggested Barmore had been benched for disciplinary reasons. Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025 Although Tea requests more protection and even asks to leave the undercover operation for safety reasons, PET pushes her to maintain her position. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reasons
Noun
  • 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
  • From there, the tool offers up five colors, with explanations for how each suits the theme or prompt and links back to further information about those colors and their importance.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Her motives apparently range from a desire to save the country to unabashed, petty vindictiveness; the two often overlap.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
  • While some framed their redistricting actions as a response to federal scrutiny, others pointed to openly partisan motives.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The prosecutor’s spokesperson said Yeo was making excuses that did not make sense about the notes discovered on his mobile phone.
    Reuters 2 hr ago, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Yes, potential excuses exist, such as the Tigers’ switch to Daniels, a senior Stanford transfer whose tremendous performance (353 yards passing and two touchdowns, 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns) demands the question of why Freeze didn’t turn the offense over to him weeks ago.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The poppy became such a recognizable symbol for remembrance observances that veterans’ groups started selling paper replicas of the flowers to raise money for veterans’ causes.
    Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 12 Nov. 2025
  • But that is only one of the causes, the consultants told CNN.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But the team still derives its identity from the head coach.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The four-part limited series derives its name from a famous quote by Garfield, per Netflix's Tudum.
    Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Media studies scholar Stephen Ponder argues that William McKinley, inaugurated as president in 1897, laid the groundwork for Roosevelt’s later efforts to fully bring the press into the White House.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 7 Nov. 2025
  • What Rokita alleges in lawsuit The lawsuit argues that IPS’s policies violate Indiana law, which prohibits governmental bodies from enacting a resolution or policy that restricts employees from communicating or cooperating with federal officials about someone’s citizenship or immigration status.
    Caroline Beck, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Two of the Democratic standard-bearers to emerge from last week’s elections—Abigail Spanberger, the incoming governor of Virginia, and Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City—have emphasized different sides of these arguments in recent days.
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
  • While medically assisted suicide isn’t a mainstream cause of any one political party, conversations about potential legislation happen more in progressive circles and often in connection with arguments about bodily autonomy.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Traditionally, one of the key justifications for teamwork has been its psychological benefits—the energy that comes from collaboration, the reduced stress of shared responsibility, the excitement of building on each other’s ideas.
    François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reasons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasons. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

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