1
as in explanation
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 motive
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 excuse
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 cause
someone or something responsible for a result
what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sense
the ability to learn and understand or to deal with problems
you'll need to use all of your reason to get out of this tight spot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in mind
the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities
was afraid that with all the stress he was under, he'd lose all reason
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in reasoning
the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems
in a time of national crisis we need to listen to the voice of reason
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to understand
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 to argue
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 reason
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
During the subsequent century, filmmakers returned to this reflexive mode of cinema for a variety of reasons, either to examine their artistic process, explore formal innovations, expose some horrible secret, or, perhaps most often, satirize the ivory-tower industry itself.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Gooding reasoned that the law provides an answer to this twist.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Noun
Part of the reason for the differing groups divided between north and south was likely due to climate conditions, Flynn said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
During the subsequent century, filmmakers returned to this reflexive mode of cinema for a variety of reasons, either to examine their artistic process, explore formal innovations, expose some horrible secret, or, perhaps most often, satirize the ivory-tower industry itself.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
If Newman couldn’t have killed Scott, the police reasoned, perhaps his brother had.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Gooding reasoned that the law provides an answer to this twist.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
Noun
-
To the uninitiated, this explanation might seem a little… off-kilter.—
James Factora,
Them.,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Aircraft, ammunition belts, bolts of fabric, mine-working, kilt-making, cement-mixing, nuns, saris and American football have all been marshaled as explanations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her motive for abandoning her daughter is unclear at this time.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
King’s defense attorneys Matt Smid and Mark Daniel say that Good’s motives are political.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Matt Baker says Florida coaches are out of excuses moving forward, Bruce Feldman breaks down the candidates to replace Napier and Chris Vannini has the pluses and minuses of the job.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The Bills have draft capital to move, too, so there's really no excuse not to get something done.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
An official cause of death has not yet been released.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
-
All the iconography and romanticism around the patriots’ noble cause can mask the contradictions of the era.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Both of those rankings praised the city for offering a sense of community, mountain scenery and a bustling arts scene.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Oct. 2025
-
There was a sense of Diana and Charles arriving at Westminster Abbey in separate coaches on the day of the coronation.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Payton lost his mind, running onto the field, drawing a penalty.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
-
These disorienting films linger on the mind long after the credits roll.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
According to the woman, her parents’ reasoning for denying her requests was rooted in a harsh lesson about independence.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
While no specific storyline explanation was given on the broadcast for their exclusion beyond Pearce barring them earlier in the night, the reasoning reported ties into a larger, long-term strategy WWE has for Breakker.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Of course, a reliable method for measuring a team’s performance is to use underlying metrics to understand the team’s process more than its outcomes.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The clip then smash-cuts to a scene of Bruce as a child listening to his parents fight in the next room, and we’re meant to understand that the joy and power that steams off of the stage is a cure for the pain of childhood wounds.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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