rationales

plural of rationale
as in explanations
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 rationales Well, the English language market is certainly growing, and that was also one of the rationales of the merger deal between All3Media and Banijay. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 The claims paying organizations that are best prepared to navigate this evolving environment will be those that combine uniform eligibility review, defensible payment rationales, dispute tracking and outcome analysis into a single cohesive process. — Christine Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 His attorneys claim that, when searching for Murkerson’s vehicle, sheriff’s deputies entered nonsense rationales. — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 While there are plenty of rationales, CBS News will have to be patient and hope that viewers will sample the program, which largely had the same look as last year despite Weiss’ changes. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 For Mary Kay, the latter of these rationales seems to have been clothed in the guise of the former, though the precise catalyst for establishing her own outfit remains indeterminate. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 State legislators have various rationales for getting involved in national security policy. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
  • Mayo Clinic’s advice on saying no recommends communicating clearly, declining directly and keeping explanations brief.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Fernandez said there are only two potential explanations for what is occurring.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • LaFountain and another lawyer who did not want to be named out of fear of retribution for their clients said Bridgeport’s probate court denies cases for reasons beyond the requirements.
    — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
  • That fear, coupled with the fact that ICE has been showing up in religious spaces across the country, are the main reasons why the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is encouraging rabbis to take the poll chaplain training, said Pesner.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The defendant’s attorney asked for the hearing for the judge to listen to arguments and determine whether to set bail for Guzman.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Oral arguments Several of the conservative justices repeatedly raised concerns that the nondiscrimination rule was effectively a back-door way to keep religious entities out of the universal preschool program.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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