reasonable

adjective

rea·​son·​able ˈrēz-nə-bəl How to pronounce reasonable (audio)
ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-bəl
1
a
: being in accordance with reason
a reasonable theory
b
: not extreme or excessive
reasonable requests
c
: moderate, fair
a reasonable chance
a reasonable price
2
a
: having the faculty of reason
b
: possessing sound judgment
a reasonable man
reasonability
ˌrēz-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce reasonable (audio)
ˌrē-zᵊn-ə-
noun
reasonableness
ˈrēz-nə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce reasonable (audio)
ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-
noun
reasonably
ˈrēz-nə-blē How to pronounce reasonable (audio)
ˈrē-zᵊn-ə-
adverb

Examples of reasonable in a Sentence

We have reasonable cause not to believe him. She offered a reasonable compromise. It's not reasonable to expect perfect weather. Please be more reasonable. There is no way I'll be able to finish all this work in so little time. A reasonable man would not expect such a thing. Our boss has reasonable expectations of his employees. The team has a reasonable chance of winning. He makes a reasonable amount of money. The store's prices are reasonable. The hotel offers excellent accommodations at reasonable rates.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The annoyance is really the side effect or collateral damage to a presumably reasonable activity. Caleb Harris, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 While the Biden administration has made some progress on cybersecurity—establishing a national cybersecurity strategy that includes some reasonable provisions—its overall approach to AI safety through top-down bureaucratic rules remains too rigid. James Broughel, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 During Coy's trial, the state called another use-of-force expert witness, Seth Stoughton, a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, who testified that Coy's actions were not reasonable and did not justify the use of deadly force. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024 The pricing is critical, and kept reasonable for the quality. David Moin, WWD, 18 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reasonable 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reasonable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near reasonable

Cite this Entry

“Reasonable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reasonable. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

reasonable

adjective
rea·​son·​able ˈrēz-nə-bəl How to pronounce reasonable (audio)
-ᵊn-ə-bəl
1
a
: not beyond what is usual or expected : moderate
a reasonable request
a reasonable chance of success
b
: not expensive
reasonable prices
2
: able to reason : rational
a reasonable person
reasonability noun
reasonableness noun
reasonably adverb

Legal Definition

reasonable

adjective
rea·​son·​able
1
a
: being in accordance with reason, fairness, duty, or prudence
b
: of an appropriate degree or kind
c
: supported or justified by fact or circumstance
a reasonable belief that force was necessary for self-defense
2
: applying reason or logic
broadly : rational sense 1
a reasonable mind
reasonableness noun
reasonably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on reasonable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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