If we let our reasoning power be overshadowed by our emotions, we would be barking up the wrong tree all the time.
Source: tatoeba (21045)
Reasoning
/ˈɹiːzənɪŋ/
Synonyms for "reasoning" (202 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (41)
abstract thoughtact of thoughtanalysisanalyticanalyticalargumentsbrainbrainsbrainworkcerebralcerebrationcogitationconceitconceptionconceptiveconceptualconceptualizationcreative thought
Noun(19 words)
abstract thoughtacademic cognitive skillanalysisanalytic thinkingargueargue forarguingargumentationargumentationscognitioncognitive abilitycognitive modelconcludeconclusionconvincingcritical thinkingdebatesdecisiondecision making
Adjective(4 words)
analytic reasoninganalytical thinkingcognitive actioncognitive action steps
Strong matches (60)
Noun(25 words)
decision making conceptdeducededucingdeductingdeductiondeductionsderivationderivationsderived fromdialecticeliminationevidenceexplainexplanationsfigure outfrench soutiengrapplinggroundinggroundsindirect observation
Show 5 more words
deductiondemonstrationdiscoursediscourse of reasondiscursive reasonendopsychicespritexcogitationexplanationexplicationgray matterheadheadpieceheadworkheavy thinkinghypothesisideaideationimageless thoughtinduction
Show 8 more words
inductive reasoningintellectintellectionintellectualintellectual exerciseintellectual facultyintellectualizationintelligence
Adjective(4 words)
deductive logicgood justificationinferential reasoninginferential understanding
Verb(3 words)
Related words (101)
Noun(37 words)
intelligencejustificationjustifylegal argumentlogiclogical argumentlogical deductionlogical thinkinglogicianrylogicslogosmental abilitymental capacitypersuasionsphilosophizingpresent a caseproblem-solvingprocess verbprocessingproof method
Show 17 more words
provide reasonsrationalerationalismrationality and emotionrationality and logicreasoning abilityreasoning actreconstructionsolvingtheorizationthinkthinkingthinking criticallythinking processthinking qualityunderpinning ideawarranting
intelligentinternallogicmensmentalmental actmental capacitymental labormental processmentalitymentationmindnoesisnoeticnoologicalnousphilosophyphrenicpostulatepower of reason
Show 34 more words
premisesproofpsychepsychicpsychicalpsychologicpsychologicalpsychologyratioratiocinationratiocinativeratiocinatoryrationalrationalerationalismrationalityrationalizationreasonreasoning facultyreasonssmartssophistrysoundspecious reasoningspiritualstraight thinkingsubjectivetheorythinkingthinking aloudthinking outthoughtunderstandingvernunft
Adjective(6 words)
Verb(3 words)
justify claimmake an argumentmake decisions
Determiner(1 words)
most proof
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abstract thought, abstract thought, academic cognitive skill, act of thought, analysis.
- Sentence evidence is available for reasoning, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, wordnet, derived_reverse, opengloss, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "reasoning".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "reasoning"
Keep "reasoning" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "reasoning" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "reasoning", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "reasoning" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
15 entriesargumentationcerebrationcognitioncognitive processexplainexplanationintellectionmental abilitymental processmentationpersuadethinkthinkingthoughtthought process
More specific
15 entriesCollocations
6 entriesclear reasoninglogical reasoningreasoning processreasoning skillssound reasoningstep by step reasoning
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
I've tried reasoning with him but he just won't listen.
Source: tatoeba (260388)
There is no reasoning.
Source: tatoeba (272517)
He wins his arguments by logical reasoning.
Source: tatoeba (304840)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "reasoning"?
Closest matches include abstract thought, abstract thought, academic cognitive skill, act of thought, analysis.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "reasoning"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.