as in unreasonableness
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Recent Examples of irrationality
But this often requires accepting the fundamental irrationality of the wrapping-up process.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
The irrationality of politicians suddenly makes sense.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
In such conditions, apparent irrationality can invite probing, hedging or reciprocal escalation.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Such irrationality proofs have been rare — and at times, according to longtime Quanta contributor Erica Klarreich, dramatic.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
When prompt instructions encouraged models to maximize rewards or hit specific financial goals, irrationality increased.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
This irrationality, which is especially difficult to model, often boils down to computational constraints.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
The irrationality of politicians suddenly makes sense.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
In such conditions, apparent irrationality can invite probing, hedging or reciprocal escalation.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Such irrationality proofs have been rare — and at times, according to longtime Quanta contributor Erica Klarreich, dramatic.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
When prompt instructions encouraged models to maximize rewards or hit specific financial goals, irrationality increased.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
This irrationality, which is especially difficult to model, often boils down to computational constraints.
—John Werner, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irrationality
Noun
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Prior research into the shooter and his family combined with the new report crystalizes a picture of extremism, said Rachel Carroll Rivas, deputy director of research at the Southern Poverty Law Center.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
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Its commentary on political extremism, religious tribalism and the erosion of nuance is uniquely relevant, with episodes that spark conversation across ideological lines without resorting to provocation for provocation’s sake.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As much as an institutional critique, Szpila has given us a parable on the dangers of fanaticism and the necessity of radicalism, and the obvious parallel between the rigidity of belief systems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
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But that distinction would have made little sense to seventeenth-century women, whose religious radicalism led them to make vehement political critiques of their own society.—
Chandler Fritz,
The New York Review of Books,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irrationality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irrationality. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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