1
as in explanations
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 motives
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 excuses
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 causes
someone or something responsible for a result
what's the meteorological reason for tornadoes?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in derives
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 argues
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 reasons
Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Heat players and coaches pointed to a spirited locker room at halftime as one of the reasons for Monday’s bounce-back victory.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Among the reasons the Heat considered this a reset season with the offseason acquisition of Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers was to move past the cycle of absences with Jimmy Butler during his tenure with the team.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
There are another couple of reasons the Tush Push lives on.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Board member Nadine Scodro resigned in September 2025, citing person reasons.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
According to the bill, Pittsburgh police may not enforce immigration laws and cannot share information with ICE on suspects detained for other reasons.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Screeners are the prerelease copies of film and TV shows meant for promotional use, festival submission, sales or other business reasons.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
In this case, that blend of tradition and artistic interpretation resulted in a final product that stood out—if not entirely for the reasons the bride expected.
—Claire Dodds, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Heat players and coaches pointed to a spirited locker room at halftime as one of the reasons for Monday’s bounce-back victory.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Among the reasons the Heat considered this a reset season with the offseason acquisition of Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers was to move past the cycle of absences with Jimmy Butler during his tenure with the team.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
There are another couple of reasons the Tush Push lives on.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Board member Nadine Scodro resigned in September 2025, citing person reasons.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
According to the bill, Pittsburgh police may not enforce immigration laws and cannot share information with ICE on suspects detained for other reasons.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
Screeners are the prerelease copies of film and TV shows meant for promotional use, festival submission, sales or other business reasons.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The system reasons underneath, processing infinitely complex 3D scenarios, handling trade clashes, regulations and tradeoffs - learning from user feedback over time to eliminate the need for users to supervise its intelligence.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reasons
Noun
-
There’s plenty of explanations.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Siple notes that many are drawn to the clarity of her explanations, particularly those who prefer a structured and analytical understanding of how the mind functions.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While Iran is not known to have any interests in Uganda, it has been accused of covert operations in neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, including the running of smuggling networks and making controversial diplomatic and economic outreach with questionable motives throughout the region.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
All of them have their own motives.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The excuses really don’t matter.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
-
These things are presented not as potential excuses for the Current’s one-win/two-loss start, but as context around it.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Colorado State Patrol is launching a new awareness campaign in April, highlighting common causes of crashes due to distracted driving.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Others were from causes unknown, not listed or still under investigation.—
Ryan Oehrli
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tucked deeper into nature than its older sibling in Windham, Eastwind Oliverea Valley derives its special sauce from its harmony with its surroundings, complementing rather than taking away from the landscape.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Formed in Basel, Switzerland, in 1974, Hesperion XXI derives its name from the Classical Greek word for the people of the Italian and Iberian peninsulas.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Texas may have plenty of other inherent economic advantages, including a central location and long international border, but its high concentration of major metropolitan areas is also a major factor behind the state’s long-term success, a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas argues.—
Trevor Bach,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Anthropic claims it is being shut out of government contracts for disagreeing with the administration and argues the legal principles at stake affect every federal contractor whose views the government dislikes.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
During oral arguments, several conservative justices questioned the legal foundation and practical enforcement of the policy, which aims to deny citizenship to some children born in the United States to undocumented or temporary immigrant parents.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In February, Tobolowsky heard an hour of arguments before denying the motions to dismiss that were filed by two Gateway elders, according to the Texas Lawbook.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gemini 3 Pro invented elaborate technical justifications for marking incorrect answers as correct, reasoning that doing so would bring the peer’s score above the shutdown threshold.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Medieval monks toiling away at poetic meditations on the divine have their place, the authors allow, but their own arguments are meant to surpass mere abstract justifications for belief.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reasons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasons. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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