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
This increase happens for two reasons — both tied to the fact that El Niño is characterized by warmer than average ocean temperatures in the equatorial tropical Pacific Ocean. Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 Less than a week after our Zoom conversation with Knapp, an unrelated Good Good collab went viral for all of the wrong reasons. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 Somewhere in South Carolina, a child too young for a second dose of the measles vaccine contracted the virus from someone whose parents had decided, for reasons unrelated to medicine, that vaccination was optional. A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 The person did not elaborate on the reasons for declaring the two men ineligible. Doug Feinberg, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Linebacker Cameron Goode, a core special teams contributor in Miami for the past few years, missed his second practice for unknown reasons…. Omar Kelly august 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Instead, Valdez has been among the reasons the Tigers have underachieved. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 There are several reasons, but the main one is that life is rough in the winter. ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 The share of kindergarten students in the United States forgoing vaccines due to nonmedical reasons rose for the fifth consecutive year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
The consultant reasons by filling a notebook with calculations, then hands you a one-sentence answer, and keeps the notebook. Adam Fish, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 How the Fed reasons its way to agreements is as important as the agreements. The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2026 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
  • Still other explanations presume that the gods’ artistic representations in ritual settings are the basis of the meaning of their multiform appearances.
    Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • At times, his psychological explanations may seem almost too orderly for a woman who lived so exuberantly in disorder.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Instead of asking the right questions about the multiple possible motives in a mother who kills their children, the public is asking why there is even a trial in this case.
    Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
  • As the investigation unfolded, what initially appeared to be a daring ransom scheme evolved into a complex story of obsession, deception, and unexpected motives.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The software company PDFFly surveyed 2000 managers and senior managers and found that while 85% of managers suspect their employees are making fake excuses to grab extra time off in the summer, half of management are doing exactly that themselves.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Save as a collection on MyRecipes Fall brings football tailgates, family dinners, and dozens more excuses to gather.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The causes of this go back decades, and AI is just the latest iteration of it.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • If that wasn’t enough, there may be other contributing factors, such as medical conditions and environmental causes.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In those situations, advice derives much of its value from trust, accountability and experience.
    Alex Shahidi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, the film derives overwhelming tension from the creature’s unknown qualities and the terror of an unseen force wreaking havoc on an unassuming community.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Conversely, another group argues that given the upside risks to inflation, the year-end rate should likely be higher than the current target range.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Dolly Parton stood up for undocumented immigrants when few others would, argues columnist Gustavo Arellano.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In May 2026, oral arguments were held before the Fouth Circuit Court of Appeals.
    Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Opening arguments started last week in the landmark trial against Meta that’s being co-led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the AGs from Colorado, New Jersey and Kentucky.
    Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Idaho allows exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons, and medical justifications account for very few of those exemptions, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the center lies carceral safety politics—logics that turn fears of violence into justifications for punitive responses.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reasons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasons. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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