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Glite Dictionary
to reason out

to reason out

3 4.8
To think carefully to find an answer to a problem
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : razonar
  • To solve the complex math problem, we need to reason out each step logically.
  • try to reason out
  • reasoned out the solution
  • reason out a problem

Examples

  • Students work in cooperative groups where they discuss mathematics and reason out problems together.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Gosh people, try to reason things out before you make silly comments!

    Blog text (19)

  • You have to actually reason out what the mean position is.

  • In fact, it makes no sense at all, so do not even attempt to reason it out.

    Blog text (11)

  • I thought I might try to reason out a few things, but my mind just keeps wandering.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Three have college degrees, and all four are smart enough to reason this out correctly.

    Blog text (14)

  • "I always like to reason out the possibilities; it comes from being a programmer.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • She wished she could form some plan of action or reason out what to expect next.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • There were stars in it, but he could not reason out even one known constellation in the moonless sky.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Moses tried to reason his way out of God's mission to liberate his people from bondage.

    Blog text (28)

Synonyms

to figure out
vsto reason out
  • Informal
∞ 2.2

To think about something and find an answer or understand it

emphasizes logical decision making rather than general understanding
to work out
vsto reason out
950 2.8

To find a solution or plan by thinking carefully

stresses logical decision making rather than merely producing a plan
to sort out
vsto reason out
222 2.7

To find and fix a problem or confusion

focuses on deliberate logical decision rather than general clarification
to reason
vsto reason out
121 3.3

To think carefully or discuss something to reach a decision

solves or decides by careful logical thinking rather than arguing
to deduce
vsto reason out
45 4.6

Figure out something from facts or evidence

uses careful logical thought not only inference from facts
to think out
vsto reason out
  • Informal
45 3.9

To plan something carefully before you do it

focuses on solving or deciding logically rather than only planning
to suss out
vsto reason out
  • UK
8 8.2

To find out what is really happening

uses careful logical reasoning rather than mainly investigating or probing
to puzzle out
vsto reason out
4 4.4

To think hard to find the answer to a difficult problem

means logical solving but without stressing difficulty or effort
to rationalize
vsto reason out
  • US
1 5.3

Think in a logical way to make decisions

focuses on solving or choosing rather than only thinking reasonably
to dope out
vsto reason out
  • Informal
8.8

To find a plan or solution by thinking carefully

expresses careful logical decision rather than casual informal solving
to thresh out
vsto reason out
6.8

Discuss a problem or idea carefully to reach a decision

relies on an individual's careful logical thinking rather than group discussion

Antonyms

to confuse
38 1.9

Mix things up so their order is not clear

How Logical

to reason out
3 4.8
to solve
∞ 1.3
to deduce
45 4.6
to figure out
  • Informal
∞ 2.2
to speculate
254 4.8
to guess
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

reason out infinitive
reasoned out past
reasoned out past participle
reasoning out present participle
reasons out third person singular

Morphology

reason + out

The meaning 'to solve or decide by thinking logically' is directly derivable from 'reason' (to think or deduce) combined with the particle 'out', which in English often signals bringing a thought process to a result or completion. This verb+particle compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically accessible, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would very likely infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Reason out comes from the image of using your reason, your clear thinking, to pull the answer out into the open. So, to reason out a problem means 'to solve or decide something by thinking carefully and in a logical way'.