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Suffix · forms adjectives

-reasoned

argued or supported by a specified quality of reasoning; evaluating the logical quality of an argument or position

In Spanish: razonado / argumentado / fundamentado en la razónLiterary

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated June 2026

What this suffix does

-reasoned forms compound adjectives that evaluate the logical quality of an argument, position, or conclusion. Well-reasoned, poorly-reasoned, carefully-reasoned, ill-reasoned, soundly-reasoned — each compound judges not what is concluded but how the conclusion was reached, and whether the reasoning was adequate. In academic, critical, and legal writing, these compounds are essential tools for evaluating the epistemic quality of arguments. A well-reasoned argument is one where the logical path from premises to conclusion is sound and the premises themselves are well-supported.

How it is pronounced

-reasoned

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Examples

Base word
With -reasoned
In a phrase
  • wellwell-reasonedThe well-reasoned dissent was more influential in the long run than the majority opinion it had initially failed to shift.
  • poorlypoorly-reasonedThe poorly-reasoned argument was built on an analogy that collapsed under the first serious scrutiny.
  • carefullycarefully-reasonedThe carefully-reasoned position had anticipated every objection and prepared a response to each before they were raised.
  • illill-reasonedThe ill-reasoned verdict was overturned on appeal by a court that had not been persuaded by the original judge's logic.
  • soundlysoundly-reasonedThe soundly-reasoned case required the committee to either accept the conclusion or reject premises they had publicly committed to.

Common mistakes

well-reasoned = persuasive or convincing (a judgment about effect)
well-reasoned = logically sound; the premises support the conclusion through valid reasoning

"Well-reasoned" is a judgment about logical structure, not about psychological persuasiveness. A well-reasoned argument is one where the logic is valid — the conclusion follows from the premises. It may or may not be persuasive to a particular audience. Conversely, a poorly-reasoned argument can be highly persuasive (through rhetoric, emotion, or appeal to prejudice) while still being logically inadequate.

"well-reasoned" only applies to arguments and opinions
"well-reasoned" applies to any judgment, position, or conclusion that involves logical inference

"Well-reasoned" can apply to arguments, opinions, verdicts, policies, positions, conclusions, reports — any output of a reasoning process that involves moving from premises to conclusions. The compound evaluates the quality of the logical process regardless of the type of output it produced.

A trick to remember it

"Well-reasoned" is one of the highest compliments you can pay to an intellectual or professional production. It says: I may or may not agree with the conclusion, but the path from the starting point to that conclusion is logically sound. In academic culture this is actually more valuable than agreement — a well-reasoned argument you disagree with forces you to examine the premises you rejected, which is how intellectual progress happens.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

Fill in: "The judge's ___ verdict laid out each step of the logic so clearly that the losing party's lawyers could find no grounds for appeal." (argued with logical soundness; each step clearly following from the previous)

Hint: Well + reasoned = argued with valid logical structure; the conclusion properly supported by the premises.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

"The poorly-reasoned report reached a conclusion that would have pleased the committee but could not survive the scrutiny of an independent review." What does "poorly-reasoned" say about the report?

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Fill in: "The ___ case left the opposing counsel with no room — every objection had been anticipated, tested, and answered before it could be raised." (reasoned with exceptional care and thoroughness; tested against every possible objection)

Hint: Carefully + reasoned = argued with deliberate, thorough care; each logical step examined and tested.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -reasoned mean in English?

The suffix -reasoned argued or supported by a specified quality of reasoning; evaluating the logical quality of an argument or position In Spanish it usually maps to razonado / argumentado / fundamentado en la razón.

Can you give an example of a word with -reasoned?

"well" becomes "well-reasoned". It is a typical example of the -reasoned suffix.

Other useful suffixes

  • -founded

    based or established on a specified type or quality of foundation; describing the logical or evidential basis of a claim, belief, or concern

  • -grounded

    having a secure foundation in a specified reality or domain; firmly connected to the ground of evidence, experience, or psychological stability

  • -versed

    experienced or knowledgeable in a specified subject; having been thoroughly engaged with a body of knowledge or skill

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