1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rational
Attempts to discuss it with her in a rational manner are futile.
—
Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Xu suggests that timing decisions are often rational and context-dependent.
—William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Facing that, disbanding a unit is a rational response.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
His works’ refusal to adhere to rational ways of thinking is intentional.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Xu suggests that timing decisions are often rational and context-dependent.
—William Jones, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Facing that, disbanding a unit is a rational response.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
His works’ refusal to adhere to rational ways of thinking is intentional.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
-
In a world where intelligent systems can respond to events faster than any human team, reactive leadership loses its edge.—
Rhett Power,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
-
The device incorporates controllable blades, on-board batteries and intelligent control systems, aimed at optimizing its operation in real conditions of operation on the high seas.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
As far as the second outside cornerback is concerned, the most logical answer would be JuJu Brents, who looked impressive in his two starts in 2025 prior to sustaining a foot injury in Week 11 that required season-ending surgery.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
On one hand, when a team selects in the lottery, the logical next step is a draft party, part of the hype of the next newcomer to be marketed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a debate for the Democratic nomination for the Senate in Iowa this month, one of the moderators, Erin Murphy, asked the candidates, Josh Turek and Zach Wahls, both state legislators, a reasonable, if downbeat, question.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The tuition payments may be a gift presented without strings, but there are still plenty of reasonable expectations that come with a college education.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
From the outside, her life looked coherent.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Without a coherent federal framework, patients in underserved areas will keep waiting for care that AI could safely deliver, while states cycle through ad hoc deployments and predictable backlash.—
Alon Bergman,
STAT,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Humor can release the writer from values of the past, along with judgment and disapproval, and instead, humor can become the very conduit for re-thinking events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Nov. 2025
-
Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.—
Keith BieryGolick,
Cincinnati.com,
28 Aug. 2019
Adjective
-
The vulnerability allowed attackers to bypass two-factor authentication protections after obtaining valid login credentials.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
-
Presenting a utility bill as a valid form of identification at a voting precinct in West Virginia has gone the way of the tavern polling place and the punch-card ballot.—
John Raby,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, learning when and how to prune a dogwood tree is sensible to help keep your specimen looking and feeling its best.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
-
According to Arthur Ream, a computer information systems lecturer at Bentley University, the home-as-data-center model is plausible, already happening, and a sensible answer for inference workloads, if not training.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
