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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Recent Examples of rationale
Director Bill Pulte has written or shared more than a dozen posts on social media calling for Powell’s resignation and sharing the rationale for doing so, throwing his politically independent agency into a partisan battle.
—
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 June 2025
The end of the penny has been debated in the U.S. since the early 1990s, when Republicans and Democrats alike supported legislative bids to do away with the penny, drawing on cost-benefit analysis as their rationale.
—Antoinette Burton, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
But the judge didn’t endorse the NCAA’s preferred rationale.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 June 2025
While scheduling around reconciliation may be leadership’s rationale, the bill also faced pushback from fiscal conservatives, particularly within the House Freedom Caucus.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 June 2025
The end of the penny has been debated in the U.S. since the early 1990s, when Republicans and Democrats alike supported legislative bids to do away with the penny, drawing on cost-benefit analysis as their rationale.
—Antoinette Burton, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
But the judge didn’t endorse the NCAA’s preferred rationale.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 June 2025
While scheduling around reconciliation may be leadership’s rationale, the bill also faced pushback from fiscal conservatives, particularly within the House Freedom Caucus.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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But Jones was informed after arriving at the clinic that her appointment had been canceled without explanation.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
21 June 2025
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Patterson’s explanation On August 1, three days after the lunch, Patterson was in hospital, having been convinced by doctors to stay after earlier discharging herself against their advice.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
21 June 2025
Noun
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Hval did not share a specific reason for the cancellation.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
1 July 2025
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For some reason, this album has people relating to it in a grieving way.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
1 July 2025
Noun
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The murder trial was set to begin next month, starting with jury selection on Aug. 4, and opening arguments two weeks later.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
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In an instant, the argument was about something that felt bigger, more emotional.—
Brooke Lea Foster,
People.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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