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

See Examples For:

by reason of

Lawrence, a troubled man who thought himself the heir to the British throne, was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

That argument is different from pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, which typically seeks exoneration and a punishment that includes a psychiatric facility rather than prison.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026

It’s also possible the case will go to trial and he could be found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed as opposed to serving jail time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 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

Hinckley was tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow