Synonyms of reason

reason 1 of 2

noun

ˈrē-zᵊn 

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

• explanation
• argument
• justification
• rationale
• accounting
• case
• excuse
• apology
• account
• appeal
• defense
• alibi
• plea
• vindication
• pretext
• rationalization
• pretense
• pretence
• apologia
• guise

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

• motive
• why
• grounds
• cause
• subject
• authority
• impetus
• consideration
• wherefore
• incentive
• account
• inspiration
• occasion
• stimulus
• antecedent
• instigation

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

• excuse
• justification
• plea
• apology
• defense
• alibi
• rationale
• pretext
• pretence
• rationalization
• vindication
• out
• acknowledgement
• pretense
• confession
• acknowledgment
• guise
• whitewash
• color
• cop-out
• atonement
• extenuation
• palliation

4

as in cause

someone or something responsible for a result

what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cause
• determinant
• causality
• source
• causation
• antecedent
• occasion
• consideration
• factor
• impetus
• incentive
• mother
• origin
• stimulus
• instigation
• spring
• inspiration
• be-all and end-all
• root
• alpha and omega

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• result
• issue
• effect
• consequence
• development
• product
• outcome
• corollary
• sequence
• upshot
• fate
• fruit
• aftermath
• outgrowth
• sequel
• resultant
• conclusion
• end
• aftereffect
• ramification
• repercussion
• denouement
• side effect
• dénouement
• by-product
• side reaction

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

• sense
• intellect
• intelligence
• brain(s)
• gray matter
• talent
• mentality
• intellectuality
• aptitude
• brainpower
• mind
• insight
• smarts
• wit
• wisdom
• headpiece
• perception
• brilliance
• judgement
• apprehension
• judgment
• intellectualism
• discernment
• common sense
• horse sense
• acumen
• percipience
• astuteness
• perspicacity
• alertness
• eggheadedness
• mother wit
• sagacity
• discriminability
• braininess
• highbrowism
• skull
• sapience
• head

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slowness
• idiocy
• density
• stupidity
• dulness
• foolishness
• dullness
• feeblemindedness
• dumbness
• imbecility
• denseness
• simpleness
• senselessness
• fatuity
• doltishness
• dopiness
• half-wittedness

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

• mind
• sanity
• sense
• head
• saneness
• health
• marbles
• daylights
• rationality
• wit(s)
• reasonableness
• healthfulness
• soundness
• healthiness
• clearheadedness
• wholesomeness
• normalcy
• lucidity
• normality
• wisdom
• lucidness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• insanity
• madness
• dementia
• mania
• delusion
• derangement
• unreason
• lunacy
• hallucination
• hysteria
• frenzy
• delirium

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

• reasoning
• logic
• sense
• logicality
• argumentation
• logicalness
• intellection
• ratiocination
• rationality
• coherence
• analysis
• persuasiveness
• synthesis
• cogency
• deduction
• syllogism
• dissection
• convincingness
• rationalness
• induction
• disputation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incoherence
• illogic
• absurdity
• insanity
• irrationality
• senselessness
• preposterousness
• nonsensicalness
• brainlessness

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• understand
• derive
• decide
• think
• guess
• conclude
• infer
• deduce
• assume
• speculate
• judge
• suppose
• extrapolate
• make out
• ascertain
• read
• surmise
• draw a conclusion
• gather
• contemplate
• interpret
• rationalize
• conjecture
• construe
• find out
• philosophize
• dope (out)

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

• argue
• contend
• plead
• explain
• convince
• justify
• mention
• insist
• maintain
• assert
• claim
• suggest
• persuade
• consider
• cite
• propose
• urge
• affirm
• advise
• recommend
• discuss
• offer
• defend
• enforce
• submit
• give
• adduce
• advocate
• rationalize
• advance
• counsel
• refute
• avow
• aver
• debate
• support
• disprove
• rebut
• counter
• espouse
• avouch
• champion
• confute

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

Recent Examples of reason

Noun

Unshared interests The only reason that the PA was being kept out of the picture was to satisfy Netanyahu’s political desire not to ever have a unified Palestinian leadership in the West Bank and Gaza. —Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025

For these reasons, Italy‘s leading design trade show Salone del Mobile. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025

Verb

Lower courts had blocked DHS’s mass termination, reasoning that federal law requires parole decisions to be made on an individual basis. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Earlier tests measured relatively abstract capabilities on reasoning puzzles and exam-style questions. —Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

Phrases Containing reason

• deaf to reason