Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

underlying reason

phrase
/ˈʌndərˌlaɪɪŋ ˈriːzən/
Definition
The fundamental cause or explanation for something, often a situation or problem, that is not immediately obvious.
Examples
  • Understanding the underlying reason for his behavior can help resolve the conflict.
  • The underlying reason for the economic downturn was a series of poor financial decisions.
  • She searched for the underlying reason why the project failed.
Meaning
An underlying reason refers to the deeper, often hidden motivation or rationale behind a specific occurrence or decision.
Synonyms
  • Root cause
  • Fundamental reason
  • Basic justification