as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
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Recent Examples of rationale
Turner, who attended the members-only House Armed Services Committee on Thursday morning, confirmed that the Defense Department lawyers who were set to explain the legal rationale the administration is using to strike the vessels were not in the room.
—
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025
On the House side, the administration briefed both Republicans and Democrats on Thursday from the House Armed Services Committee, although lawyers were not on hand to discuss the legal rationale.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
The university, led by Blaylock, publicly defended both Blueprint and the financial rationale behind the agreement.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
If Jentleson’s aim is to moderate an increasingly radical Team Blue, this certainly equips him with a solid rationale.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2025
On the House side, the administration briefed both Republicans and Democrats on Thursday from the House Armed Services Committee, although lawyers were not on hand to discuss the legal rationale.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
The university, led by Blaylock, publicly defended both Blueprint and the financial rationale behind the agreement.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025
If Jentleson’s aim is to moderate an increasingly radical Team Blue, this certainly equips him with a solid rationale.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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According to the explanation on the museum’s website, the use of poppies has its origins in a poem that was penned by a Canadian physician who had served as a field surgeon in Belgium during the Great War.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
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In 1604, Johannes Kepler would be credited with the first accurate explanation of how concave lenses could correct nearsightedness, as opposed to convex glasses for farsightedness.—
Daniel Fusch,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Part of the reason why there are so few of these conversations about podcasting is a general lack of criticism for narrative audio.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Barr’s unconventional campaign, meant to make an argument against gerrymandering producing deeply partisan districts, made national headlines.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
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Officials said an argument between the men escalated to a fight.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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