Thesaurus results for RATIONALE

rationale

noun

ˌra-shə-ˈnal

Definition of rationale

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rationale Each individual transaction has a defensible commercial rationale. — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Ernie Healy, who noticed a Flock camera in the neighborhood on Presidio Drive about a month ago, questioned the rationale behind having it there. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026 For something which has no rationale in science, which is somehow breaking it into three is better for the child. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 The comments appeared to be the latest shift in the public rationale for the conflict, with Vance ranking Iran’s nuclear ambitions second. — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale

Noun

But in Silicon Valley, a different, more sinister explanation for the anti-data center movement has taken hold.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
The most compelling explanation so far comes from Nepal’s hydrology department.

— Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

Salesforce and other software stocks have perked up over the past month, as sentiment around the group improved for a couple of reasons, including a Reuters report on take-private talks involving HR software provider Workday .

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
At face value, young men exercising should not be reason to sound the alarms, and yet there is something treacherous about men in their formative years placing physical beauty as the ultimate expression of self-actualization.

— José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

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rational

rationale

rationales

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“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationale

noun

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