1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in logical
according to the rules of logic
insisted there was a rational explanation for the strange creaking noises and that there were no such things as ghosts
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
betting all of your savings on the lottery is not a rational move
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rational
Trapped by societal constraints of family, duty and social expectations, their love can only survive in memory and on stage, forcing a heartbreakingly rational farewell.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
So there’s no rational reason to make long term deals with the United States anymore, or count on them in any way, shape or form.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
His entirely rational explanation for doing so is in the game story.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Mass death, yes, but rational mass death.
—Paul Kingsnorth, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
So there’s no rational reason to make long term deals with the United States anymore, or count on them in any way, shape or form.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
His entirely rational explanation for doing so is in the game story.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Mass death, yes, but rational mass death.
—Paul Kingsnorth, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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This intelligent two-way interaction changed the web forever.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
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The plot follows the story of Ainara, an intelligent 17-year-old who is trying to decide what to study at university.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fantasyland would be the most logical place for Harry to get a job as a ride operator.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
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First, starting off with the shooting guard spot, Collin Sexton seems like the most logical candidate to slide into that role at the season’s outset.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Many teams accept strikeouts as a reasonable price to pay to get more home runs.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
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These savings can be bundled and used strategically to make expensive car seats much more reasonable purchases.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Two events might have destabilised a less coherent unit.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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Patches of unintelligibility are nothing new in Pynchon, but usually a coherent world view gleams upward from the murk.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.—
Keith BieryGolick,
Cincinnati.com,
28 Aug. 2019
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Credit Gus Malzahn for being proactive and thinking long-term in choosing his starting quarterback.—
Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com,
al,
22 Aug. 2019
Adjective
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Anyone who submits a valid claim to Amazon and is approved will also be paid up to $51.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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The promotion is valid from September 26-27, while supplies last.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Within the self-censoring limits of the genre, Eisgruber has sensible things to say, maybe too sensible.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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Federal agencies like the CDC, the FDA and the HHS have been gutted of the bright minds who would normally pour through the mountains of research and compile sensible medical recommendations for the public.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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