reason 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-zᵊn How to pronounce reason (audio)
Definition of reasonnext
1
as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act she gave a good reason for her seemingly suspicious behavior

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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

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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?

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4
as in cause
someone or something responsible for a result what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?

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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

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reason

2 of 2

verb

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

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word reason different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of reason are cogitate, deliberate, reflect, speculate, and think. While all these words mean "to use one's powers of conception, judgment, or inference," reason stresses consecutive logical thinking.

able to reason brilliantly in debate

When is it sensible to use cogitate instead of reason?

The meanings of cogitate and reason largely overlap; however, cogitate implies deep or intent thinking.

cogitated on the mysteries of nature

Where would deliberate be a reasonable alternative to reason?

The synonyms deliberate and reason are sometimes interchangeable, but deliberate suggests slow or careful reasoning before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion or decision.

the jury deliberated for five hours

When is reflect a more appropriate choice than reason?

The words reflect and reason can be used in similar contexts, but reflect suggests unhurried consideration of something recalled to the mind.

reflecting on fifty years of married life

When can speculate be used instead of reason?

The words speculate and reason are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, speculate implies reasoning about things theoretical or problematic.

speculated on the fate of the lost explorers

When would think be a good substitute for reason?

Although the words think and reason have much in common, think is general and may apply to any mental activity, but used alone often suggests attainment of clear ideas or conclusions.

teaches students how to think

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of reason
Noun
Earlier in the season, McCullough pointed to Hicks’ offseason work as a reason for his offensive jump. — Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Audiologists generally recommend self-fitting over preset for that reason. — Allison Palmer july 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Verb
Vitello seemed to understand Devers’ reasoning for wanting to stay in the game but also knew that Devers was battling some leg soreness. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 The second is reasoning intelligence, the layer that looks at a task, breaks it into steps and figures out how to do it, including things like making a judgement call on whether an object will be heavy or light. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reason
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reason
  1. explanation
  2. motive
  3. excuse
  4. cause
  5. sense
  6. mind
  7. reasoning
  8. understand
Noun
  • And most interestingly, her chyron identifies her as a Freelance Journalist with no further explanation.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
  • Some explanations of bodily difference were obviously wrong, such as physician and signer of the Declaration of Independence Benjamin Rush’s conviction that the dark skin of African Americans was a disease, derived from leprosy.
    — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of explanation
Noun
  • Regardless of motive, the proposals that have come out of MLB’s New York headquarters have been vast and aggressive, and have landed with a thud in both clubhouses around the league, and with people who cover the sport for a living.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • At the time, Igbinijesu's family said investigators told them the shooting appeared to be targeted, but police did not publicly disclose a possible motive.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of motive
Noun
  • The excuses that keep piling up The backyard isn’t my first condition.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026
  • While a full overhaul of the entire system might not be practical, there is certainly no excuse for lawmakers to make things worse.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is still one of the most popular athletes in the world and even if his presence on the Portuguese national team is cause for international debate, a player like Folarin Balogun has no place in any paragraph with Ronaldo.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • Investigators did not disclose further details surrounding the cause and manner of her death.
    — Seamus Bozeman Follow, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of cause
Noun
  • Against that backdrop, some say the ships are offering a surprising sense of connection.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Since relocating to Los Angeles, Gonzalez’s small downtown team has scaled Happy Organics into a design-forward brand carried by major retailers, anchored in local maker communities and a sense of purpose.
    — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of sense
Noun
  • Thousands of fans in Mexico lost their minds and shook the earth.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • At the beach, maybe, at a barbecue or whatever place sets fireworks pinwheeling through your holiday-happy mind.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of mind
Noun
  • The reasoning behind this movement is that America was founded on Christian principles, and, according to some, ought to adopt Christianity as its official religion.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • The court's reasoning lands on the same point the fund rule misses.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of reasoning
Verb
  • When choosing a warranty, review the contract, check what is covered, and understand the claims process.
    — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • However, it is rarely used on mainstream weather maps and by TV meteorologists, who favor the heat index that has long reigned supreme and is easily understood by the public.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of understand

Phrases Containing reason

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rearwards
reason
reasonabilities
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Cite this Entry

“Reason.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reason. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reason

Nglish: Translation of reason for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reason

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