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
Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Fall is festival season for a reason, capitalizing on one of the South’s prettiest seasons.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
If making movies couldn’t happen for him, Newell eventually reasoned his next best thing might be to stage movies live.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Noun
Potential jurors who are unwilling, for moral or religious reasons, to sentence someone to death can be excluded from the jury by a judge.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Fall is festival season for a reason, capitalizing on one of the South’s prettiest seasons.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
The group filed for an injunction on June 27 reasoning that the case would go their way in the end.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
If making movies couldn’t happen for him, Newell eventually reasoned his next best thing might be to stage movies live.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
Noun
-
But increasingly, that explanation doesn’t hold up.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The 2026 tour for Lifes Rich Pageant — never an apostrophe and never an explanation — will kick off February 11 in Denver and run through March 16 in Bloomington, IN.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Many public health experts have expressed concern about the motives behind Thursday’s discussion and vote in light of recent changes to the ACIP.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
19 Sep. 2025
-
His precise motive remains unclear.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Last season's failure to qualify for Europe this term has at least one advantage, giving little excuse as to why the Red Devils can't record a win over Chelsea for the first time since 2023.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
That’s not to overstate the depth or emotive nature of a fun little ride that uses broad-brush psychology as an excuse for an elegant puzzle-box that, once solved, does not require further thought.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has declared outdoor air pollution and particulate matter Group 1 carcinogens, proven causes of lung cancer.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Global Perspective Fibroids affect millions of women around the world, but there is still little known about their cause.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Your base is the foundation of any makeup look, but in the year 2025, that doesn’t have to include actual foundation—at least not in the traditional sense.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of clarity and a sense of financial empowerment, individuals experience costly missteps and are left unsure of where to find reliable guidance—eroding any trust in the mainstream financial system.—
Sandy Anderson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Keep in mind that these responses are usually experienced by men and women, Bert Mandelbaum, MD, sports medicine specialist at the Regenerative Orthobiologic Center at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles, tells SELF.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
22 Sep. 2025
-
My mind begins responding in advance.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Businesses hire people for their ability to provide critical thinking, understand nuanced situations and utilize strategic reasoning.—
Rohan Joshi,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Kashkari detailed his reasoning for switching to three total cuts this year in a piece on the Minneapolis Fed webiste.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some leaders and business development professionals get ahead of themselves, trying to show benefits without fully understanding the pain points and issues affecting their teams, leads and customers.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Finding additional examples could help astronomers better understand how often such ejections occur and shed new light on the complex life cycles of the universe's smallest galaxies.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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