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Showing results for raison d'etre.
Definitions

raison d'etre

[rey-zohn de-truh, re-zawn de-truh] / ˈreɪ zoʊn ˈdɛ trə, rɛ zɔ̃ ˈdɛ trə /
NOUN
reason for being
Synonyms
WEAK
basis justification for existing rationale reason for existing reason why
raison d'être
NOUN
reason for being
Synonyms
WEAK
basis justification for existing rationale reason for existing reason why

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

My raison d’etre for living is him, to take care of him, to protect him.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2025

How much mileage can there be in a literary magazine whose raison d’etre is just: Taco Bell?

From Slate • Sep. 8, 2023

“We will flourish until our raison d’etre for being people’s lawyers ceases.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 15, 2022

Matter’s primary raison d’etre is to make more devices work with more platforms, removing the confusion and chaos that dominates today’s smart home.

From The Verge • Sep. 1, 2022

She was the last woman to consent to stolen meetings, even were he to suggest them, for the raison d'etre of their companionship would be gone.

From Sleeping Fires: a Novel by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn