reasoning

1 of 2

noun

rea·​son·​ing ˈrēz-niŋ How to pronounce reasoning (audio)
ˈrē-zᵊn-iŋ
Synonyms of reasoning
1
: the use of reason
especially : the drawing of inferences or conclusions through the use of reason
2
: an instance of the use of reason : argument

reasoning

2 of 2

present participle of reason entry 2

Synonyms of reasoning

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Noun

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Examples of reasoning in a Sentence

Noun Could you explain your reasoning? They told everyone the reasoning behind the decision. a conclusion based on fallacious reasoning Humans possess the power of reasoning.
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Noun
One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026 By this reasoning, federal agencies must be allowed to complete rulemaking before judges intervene, and challenges to the order are portrayed as speculative attempts to stop reforms that could be crafted within constitutional limits. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 On rare occasions the selection of award recipients has also served as a critique of public policy and institutional practices that have disregarded scientific evidence or been grounded in unscientific reasoning. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 Our people are sources of reasoning, creativity, institutional knowledge, and logic that technology can’t replicate. — Maria Black, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reasoning

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reasoning was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing reasoning

Rhymes for reasoning

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Browse Nearby Words

reasoner
reasoning
reasonless
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Cite this Entry

“Reasoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reasoning. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reasoning

noun
rea·​son·​ing
1
: the use of reason
2
: the reasons used in and the proofs that result from thought : argument

More from Merriam-Webster on reasoning

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reasoning

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