Antonyms for reason


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : ree-zuhn
Phonetic Transcription : ˈri zən


Definition of reason

Origin :
  • c.1200, "intellectual faculty that adopts actions to ends," also "statement in an argument, statement of explanation or justification," from Anglo-French resoun, Old French raison "course; matter; subject; language, speech; thought, opinion," from Latin rationem (nominative ratio) "reckoning, understanding, motive, cause," from ratus, past participle of reri "to reckon, think," from PIE root *re(i)- "to reason, count" (cf. Old English rædan "to advise; see read (v.)).
  • Meaning "sanity; degree of intelligence that distinguishes men from brutes" is recorded from late 13c. Sense of "grounds for action, motive, cause of an event" is from c.1300. Middle English sense of "meaning, signification" (early 14c.) is in the phrase rhyme or reason. Phrase it stands to reason is from 1630s. Age of Reason "the Enlightenment" is first recorded 1794, as the title of Tom Paine's book.
  • noun mental analysis
  • noun intention, aim
  • noun explanation for an action
  • verb mentally analyze
  • verb argue, persuade
Example sentences :
  • I think this blessing comes from the Divine, by reason of the innocence of his life.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • There was no time barren enough of sensation to reason about it.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • The reason I write promptly is that you may not go out of the country just now.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • I haven't told you yet the reason—a new reason—why you must talk to Avice.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • That he had reason for his distrust was proved by Ben Haley's movements.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • My reason for concealment was, that I might surprise you at the end of this voyage.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • She is glad to believe that there is every reason why it will soon be over.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Exactly; and there ain't really any reason why you can't be somebody here.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • His reason for not pursuing the fugitive may be readily understood.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • The alderman saw no reason to repent his decision, hastily as it had been made.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge

Synonyms for reason

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019