rationality
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·ty
ˌra-shə-ˈna-lə-tē 
plural rationalities
1
: the quality or state of being rational
2
: the quality or state of being agreeable to reason : reasonableness
3
: a rational opinion, belief, or practice
—usually used in plural
Examples of rationality in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lean Into Aristotle’s Age-Old Strategies Since the days of Aristotle, three strategies have been used by leaders to lead their teams: ethos (credibility and ethics), logos (rationality and logic) and pathos (emotions and energy).
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Where modern Western design is based in principles of rationality and transparency, Oku tends to involve a spirit of searching — and sometimes frustration.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
EAs appoint themselves experts on everything based on a sophomore’s understanding of rationality and the world.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
As Mumford and other critics had foreseen, technocratic rationality could rationalize conduct that was essentially mad.
—Jackson Lears, Harper's Magazine, 9 June 2023
Kahneman upended assumptions about rationality that had dominated economics for decades.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist whose work casting doubt on the rationality of decision-making helped spawn the field of behavioral economics and won him a Nobel Prize, has died.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Only time will tell but hope remains that the Great Farmer Revolt will bring some semblance of rationality to Europe’s climate policies.
—Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The interplay between instinct and rationality influences our decisions, particularly in relationships.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Where modern Western design is based in principles of rationality and transparency, Oku tends to involve a spirit of searching — and sometimes frustration.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
EAs appoint themselves experts on everything based on a sophomore’s understanding of rationality and the world.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
As Mumford and other critics had foreseen, technocratic rationality could rationalize conduct that was essentially mad.
—Jackson Lears, Harper's Magazine, 9 June 2023
Kahneman upended assumptions about rationality that had dominated economics for decades.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist whose work casting doubt on the rationality of decision-making helped spawn the field of behavioral economics and won him a Nobel Prize, has died.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024
Only time will tell but hope remains that the Great Farmer Revolt will bring some semblance of rationality to Europe’s climate policies.
—Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
The interplay between instinct and rationality influences our decisions, particularly in relationships.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rationality.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rationality
Cite this Entry
“Rationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationality. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rationality
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·ty
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being rational
Medical Definition
rationality
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·ty
ˌrash-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
plural rationalities
1
: the quality or state of being rational
2
: the quality or state of being agreeable to reason
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