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
No matter how rational Indian and Pakistani leaders may be, the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding in the absence of reliable crisis communication channels makes every future flare-up more dangerous.
—
Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
But the reason this one is worse — assuming, as most rational folks are, that the series is over — is there are absolutely zero excuses.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 May 2025
And, of course, doing all these things in the presence of clients just shows a complete lack of rational thought.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
This is a state where each person settles on a strategy that feels rational given everyone else’s, even if the group as a whole is stuck in mediocrity.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
But the reason this one is worse — assuming, as most rational folks are, that the series is over — is there are absolutely zero excuses.
—James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 May 2025
And, of course, doing all these things in the presence of clients just shows a complete lack of rational thought.
—Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 29 May 2025
This is a state where each person settles on a strategy that feels rational given everyone else’s, even if the group as a whole is stuck in mediocrity.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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In 1950 the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi was discussing the possibility of intelligent alien life with his colleagues.—
Philip Ball,
Wired News,
8 June 2025
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Second, a human must be kept in the loop of intelligent machine decision-making processes.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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But there’s little logical argument for keeping him on.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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This is a logical form of thinking in the sense that AGI as an intellectual mechanism would be unable to compete in jobs that involve hands-on work.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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LPs expect distributions within a reasonable timeframe.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
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Florida's attorney general can collect civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, reasonable attorney fees, and court costs, while minors can also pursue up to $10,000 in damages.—
Chloe Albanesius,
PC Magazine,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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They are supposed to be taught how to think critically for themselves, how to be able to formulate a coherent and persuasive argument, and how to engage in meaningful conversations with individuals of differing viewpoints to sharpen their developing minds.—
Ron Morganstern,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2025
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Concentrate on good subjects and good basic camera performance, and telling a coherent story.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
5 June 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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But part of healing is unlearning the belief that your pain needs to be legible to others to be valid.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
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But most of those polls appeared to test narrowly whether Trump should obey valid court orders and avoid mistaken deportations, which most people would reasonably want.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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That never was a sensible move for fiscal and other reasons.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
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If only Larry Hogan had been prescient enough to choose a successor who would have continued his sensible moderate policies under eight more years of Republican rule.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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