by reason of

Idioms  

1. Because of, owing to, as in By reason of a crop failure, the price of coffee is bound to rise. This expression is considered quite formal today. [c. 1300]

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Example Sentences

In June 1982, Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sent to a psychiatric facility; he was fully released from federal custody in 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

In a Nov. 2023 response to the complaint, Ye disputed that Saxon “has sustained any injury, damage, or loss by reason of any act, omission or breach by Defendant.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Her lawyers had argued she was not guilty by reason of insanity and that the death of her husband in 2017 sent her into a depressive spiral.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

In her ruling, Mrs Justice Lang said the Met's "powers do not extend to the dismissal of a police officer by reason of withdrawal of vetting clearance".

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2025

The Pharaoh died, says Exodus, and the children of Israel sighed by reason of their bondage.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver