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
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
If the reasons behind an expense feel fuzzy, analyze the details and ask for a clear summary, because precise information turns hesitation into a calm, confident decision.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
There are lots of reasons someone might not want a photo posted, ranging from it simply being an unflattering shot, to future employers Googling their name, through to hiding from an abusive ex or being in witness protection.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
After the essay went viral, sources around Tisdale French and her former mom group have shed light on the real reasons behind their falling-out.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The current policy for ICE and DHS agents outlines very narrow acceptable reasons for an officer to fire a weapon into a moving vehicle.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
But not all are for staunchly anti-vaccine reasons or even because of vaccine hesitancy, Thorpe said.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
The European countries that repealed their wealth taxes did so for varied reasons.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Additionally, 58 million Americans report being food insecure and having to go without food at least sometimes, due to affordability reasons, per the report.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Why Atlas stood out at CES 2026 CNET pointed to Atlas’ humanlike walking ability and refined industrial design as key reasons for the award.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
If the reasons behind an expense feel fuzzy, analyze the details and ask for a clear summary, because precise information turns hesitation into a calm, confident decision.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026
There are lots of reasons someone might not want a photo posted, ranging from it simply being an unflattering shot, to future employers Googling their name, through to hiding from an abusive ex or being in witness protection.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
After the essay went viral, sources around Tisdale French and her former mom group have shed light on the real reasons behind their falling-out.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
The current policy for ICE and DHS agents outlines very narrow acceptable reasons for an officer to fire a weapon into a moving vehicle.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
But not all are for staunchly anti-vaccine reasons or even because of vaccine hesitancy, Thorpe said.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
The European countries that repealed their wealth taxes did so for varied reasons.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Additionally, 58 million Americans report being food insecure and having to go without food at least sometimes, due to affordability reasons, per the report.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reasons
Noun
-
Like too many hack politicians, Wardlaw seems long on excuses and short on explanations.—
Robert Steinbuch,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Results appear in about 30 seconds along with clear explanations and recommendations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Thus, over time, Williams gained appreciation for Johnson’s motives, for his communication style, most of all for his consistency.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Even after the narrator finds Moon, her motives remain obscure.—
Erin Somers,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The excuses have more to do with political expediency and gas lobbying than reality.—
Anshul Gupta,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
There can be no excuses because the general team performance against mid-table Fulham had plenty in common with those that had gone before it.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their official causes of death are still pending further assessments, including toxicology reports.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In still other moments today, local leaders and survivors plan to weigh in on the recovery process and call for accountability over the causes and responses to the blazes.—
David Wilson,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Given that the city’s budget derives roughly three-quarters of its annual revenue from property taxes, that dynamic is shifting more of the city’s tax burden onto homeowners.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, the word alcohol derives from early distillation methods from the Arabic al-kuhul, a word for an ancient Egyptian dark eyeliner that was made using an early distillation technology in Alexandria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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
-
The Powell trial could serve as a literal test case to see how a jury reacts to testimony about allegations that date back some 50 years and arguments about what level of scrutiny Riverside should have given Lorch and the basketball program.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Why did so many people in states with Democrat-majority governments want to keep the COVID emergency going, want it so badly that all rational arguments offered in support of reopening were ignored or answered with obscenity-laden accusations of grandma-killing?—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
7 Jan. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Reasons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasons. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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