Synonyms of reasons

reasons 1 of 2

noun

plural of reason

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

• explanations
• arguments
• justifications
• apologies
• rationales
• excuses
• accountings
• cases
• accounts
• appeals
• defenses
• alibis
• pleas
• vindications
• pretexts
• rationalizations
• pretenses
• apologiae
• guises

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

• motives
• causes
• grounds
• subjects
• considerations
• authorities
• whys
• incentives
• accounts
• impetuses
• wherefores
• occasions
• inspirations
• stimuli
• antecedents
• instigations

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

• excuses
• justifications
• apologies
• pleas
• defenses
• alibis
• rationales
• pretexts
• rationalizations
• outs
• colors
• pretenses
• vindications
• confessions
• cop-outs
• acknowledgments
• guises
• atonements
• extenuations
• whitewashes
• palliations

4

as in causes

someone or something responsible for a result

what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• causes
• determinants
• antecedents
• sources
• factors
• occasions
• causations
• considerations
• causalities
• incentives
• stimuli
• impetuses
• origins
• mothers
• inspirations
• be-all and end-alls
• springs
• instigations
• roots
• alpha and omegas

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• issues
• results
• consequences
• effects
• products
• outcomes
• developments
• fruits
• sequences
• ramifications
• corollaries
• fates
• aftereffects
• sequels
• outgrowths
• resultants
• repercussions
• conclusions
• upshots
• aftermaths
• side effects
• ends
• denouements
• by-products

reasons

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of reason

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

• derives
• understands
• decides
• concludes
• thinks
• judges
• guesses
• infers
• speculates
• assumes
• deduces
• extrapolates
• draws a conclusion
• makes out
• supposes
• surmises
• reads
• ascertains
• conjectures
• gathers
• contemplates
• rationalizes
• interprets
• construes
• finds out
• philosophizes
• dopes (out)

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

• argues
• contends
• pleads
• explains
• claims
• justifies
• mentions
• insists
• asserts
• convinces
• suggests
• maintains
• cites
• persuades
• considers
• urges
• affirms
• proposes
• advocates
• discusses
• offers
• advances
• recommends
• advises
• adduces
• debates
• gives
• defends
• counsels
• avers
• enforces
• refutes
• counters
• submits
• avows
• supports
• rationalizes
• champions
• avouches
• espouses
• confutes
• disproves
• rebuts

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of reasons

Noun

They were found to sharply increase how long people continued to engage, but often for reasons of anger and curiosity, rather than enjoyment. — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026

Activated by eminent domain Cook, an insurance agent living in Sugarloaf Township next door, has her own reasons to oppose the data center project. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

In the 2022 election, the second round of the election saw a sharp uptick in political violence, with dozens of people physically attacking each other for political reasons, Brazilian news site Pública reported. — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026

Jair Bolsonaro, now under humanitarian house arrest for health reasons, is barred from running and is serving a 27-year sentence after being convicted of attempting a coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Offensive lineman Lane Johnson was a late scratch for personal reasons. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

That's an exceptionally long totality and one of the main reasons this eclipse is attracting so much attention. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2026

The Bass campaign, citing the fact that Raman appeared on Piker’s stream the same day, fired off an email to reporters claiming the councilmember had lied about her reasons for missing the Jewish heritage event. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Consider this a suitcase of reasons to get dressed up in New York City. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Oct. 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