reason

/'ri:zn/
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reason

The detective used reason to solve the mystery.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A cause, explanation, or justification for an action, event, or belief: A fact or circumstance that provides logical grounds for something.
    • The power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments logically: The capacity for rational, analytical thought.
    • What is right, practical, or possible; good sense: Conformity with logic or sensible thinking.
  2. Verb:

    • To think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic: To use the faculty of reason.
    • To persuade someone with logical arguments: To try to convince someone by presenting reasoned points.
    • To conclude or work something out by using logic: To reach a judgment or solution through a process of reasoning.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • The main reason for his resignation was the lack of support. (The cause or justification for his action.)
    • Human beings possess the faculty of reason. (The capacity for logical thought.)
    • It's important to listen to reason. (To listen to sensible, logical advice.)
  • Verb:

    • We need to reason this problem through carefully. (To think about it logically.)
    • She tried to reason with him, but he was too angry. (To persuade him using logical arguments.)
    • From the evidence, we can reason that the suspect was present. (To conclude logically.)
Advanced Usage
  • "within reason": Within sensible or moderate limits; not excessive.

    • You can decorate your room however you like, within reason. (As long as it is sensible and not extreme.)
  • "it stands to reason": It is logical or obvious to conclude.

    • It stands to reason that if you practice more, you will improve. (It is a logical conclusion.)
  • "by reason of": Because of; due to (formal).

    • The event was canceled by reason of bad weather. (Because of bad weather.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Reasonable (adj): Based on good sense; fair and sensible.

    • She made a reasonable request. (A fair and sensible request.)
  • Reasoning (n): The process of thinking about something in a logical way to form a conclusion or judgment.

    • His reasoning was flawed. (His logical process was incorrect.)
  • Reasoned (adj): Based on logic or good sense.

    • She presented a reasoned argument. (A logical and well-thought-out argument.)
Synonyms
  • Noun (cause): Cause, grounds, basis, justification, motive.
  • Noun (logic): Intellect, rationality, logic, judgment, sense.
  • Verb: Think, deduce, infer, conclude, argue, persuade.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Reason out: To find an answer or solution to something by thinking about it logically.

    • Let's sit down and reason out the best course of action. (Think it through logically to find the best plan.)
  • Reason with: To try to persuade someone to be sensible by talking to them in a logical way.

    • It's useless to reason with him when he's in this mood. (To try to persuade him logically.)
Related Idioms
  • "lose one's reason": To become insane or irrational.

    • The tragic news caused him to lose his reason. (To become mentally unbalanced.)
  • "rhyme or reason": Logical explanation or sense (often used in the negative).

    • There's no rhyme or reason to his decisions. (His decisions make no logical sense.)
reason

The detective used reason to solve the mystery.

Noun
  1. a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion
    • there is reason to believe he is lying
  2. a justification for something existing or happening
    • he had no cause to complain
    • they had good reason to rejoice
  3. the state of having good sense and sound judgment
    • his rationality may have been impaired
    • he had to rely less on reason than on rousing their emotions
  4. the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination
    • we are told that man is endowed with reason and capable of distinguishing good from evil
  5. an explanation of the cause of some phenomenon
    • the reason a steady state was never reached was that the back pressure built up too slowly
  6. a rational motive for a belief or action
    • the reason that war was declared
    • the grounds for their declaration
Verb
  1. think logically
    • The children must learn to reason
  2. present reasons and arguments
  3. decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion
    • We reasoned that it was cheaper to rent than to buy a house