as in rational
having the ability to reason
judged by the courts not to be a reasoning being who could be held accountable for his crimes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in logic
the thought processes that have been established as leading to valid solutions to problems
your reasoning here is faulty, for although all wives are spouses, not all spouses are wives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in understanding
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 arguing
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reasoning
Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Still, in last month’s court filing urging a judge to reject the Oakley lawyer’s disqualification request, Mastro went out of his way to lambaste the DOI for its reasoning.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for reasoning
Noun
Outside interests appear to be playing a role in the dispute, even though the council’s official reasoning for rejecting Garcia-Acosta and Farmer was a shortage of candidate applications.
—Verb
Clearly, the cost arguments haven’t been persuasive, with people reasoning the slightly higher costs are worth the improved treatment of farm animals.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for reasoning
Adjective
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There seemed to be a rational acceptance of the outcome.—
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Therefore, the present work supports the belief that rational materials design at both the macro and atomic levels can solve long-standing challenges, according to a press release.—
Noun
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Peter offers her not only logic — a picture in which all the parts, however gruesome, fit together — but salvation.—
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That logic applies to the Middle East.—
Verb
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The key to making the right decision is understanding all your options beforehand.—
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His perspective positions the next wave of transformation not around deeper analysis, but around autonomous action, systems capable of understanding situations, deciding optimal responses, and executing those responses in real time.—
Verb
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Trump has openly lobbied for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that his actions have helped resolve multiple international conflicts, claims that have drawn public backing from several world leaders.—
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Prosecutors deny Bondi has conflict of interest Federal prosecutors slammed the defense's claims as meritless and misleading, arguing there is no conflict of interest with the attorney general because there is no present or future financial gain.—
Adjective
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Caterpillar’s intelligent product lineup spans core construction and earthmoving equipment, along with connected site systems.—
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Conversely, if these foundations can be reinforced, even partially, the intelligent age may yet fulfil its promise of progress.—
Noun
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During pregnancy, common reasons for seeking care include early labor, bleeding, changes in fetal movement, or high blood pressure.—
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One reason the design concept endures is the sink's functionality within the kitchen's larger scheme.—
Verb
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Resolve this by walking your own path (literally) and deriving support from people who are capable of caring about you.—
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Thomas is charged with human trafficking, while Robertson is charged with human trafficking, transporting a person from out of state into the state for human trafficking, branding in relation to human trafficking, deriving support from proceeds of prostitution, and battery.—
Verb
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The Blackhawks didn’t retain any salary in the deal but the playoff-contending Sharks still cleared up close to $3 million in cap space to help accommodate any possible additions via trade later this season.—
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Wearing a sleek black turtleneck, the actress is on a break between industry Q&A panels for her Oscar-contending film, Song Sung Blue, running on what seems to be a campaign adrenaline rush.—
Cite this Entry
“Reasoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reasoning. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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