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- pronunciation:
- ri
z
 n
- parts of speech:
- noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
- phrases:
- by reason of, within reason
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a basis for explaining or justifying a belief, action, opinion, or event.
Traffic was the reason that she was late this morning.I'm sure he has a reason for being upset.You have everything you need and you have no reason to complain.- synonyms:
- cause, ground, rationale
- similar words:
- argument, case, foundation, motive, occasion
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| definition 2: |
the power to think logically and reach conclusions.
Human beings are creatures of reason.- synonyms:
- intellect, rationality
- similar words:
- mind, right, understanding
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| definition 3: |
the capacity for sound judgment and good sense.
Drinking alcohol diminishes one's reason.I wish she'd have enough reason to call someone when she's in trouble.- synonyms:
- sense
- similar words:
- right, wisdom
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| definition 4: |
soundness of mind; mental balance.
He thought he heard strange voices, and he feared he was losing his reason.- synonyms:
- rationality
- similar words:
- mind, right
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| related words: |
balance, design, excuse, explanation, incentive, inducement, intellect, intelligence, mission, plea, purpose, thought, warrant |
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| phrase: |
by reason of, within reason |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
reasons, reasoning, reasoned |
| definition 1: |
to think in a logical and orderly manner.
It's hard to reason when you're extremely angry.- synonyms:
- ratiocinate
- similar words:
- cerebrate, cogitate, consider, deliberate, intellectualize, philosophize, ponder, think
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| definition 2: |
to draw conclusions.
There are many facts from which to reason.- synonyms:
- infer
- similar words:
- think
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| definition 3: |
to persuade or influence by giving logical arguments (usu. fol. by "with").
The police officer tried to reason with him, but he could not prevent the man from jumping off the bridge. |
| related words: |
argue |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to determine or conclude by using one's powers of logic (often fol. by "out").
With careful thinking, she reasoned out the answer.From the evidence, the detective reasoned that the murderer had to be a large man.[verb + (that) + clause
]
- similar words:
- analyze, cerebrate, cogitate, consider, deliberate, explicate, figure, intellectualize, ponder, reckon, solve, think
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| definition 2: |
to convince by using reason.
He reasoned his brother out of his wild business scheme.- similar words:
- argue, coax, convince, debate, dissuade, persuade
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| related words: |
conclude, draw, infer |
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