rational

adjective

ˈrash-nəl How to pronounce rational (audio)
Definition of rationalnext
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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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 But Joe never misses an opportunity to supplant her husband’s rational concerns with her imperial view of a society infected by an unseen, venomous other. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026 Every one of those was a rational response to the incentive they were handed. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Sprague said the level of planning Clancy did on the night of the killings implicated her as being in a state of rational thought. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 The Islamic Republic has alternately—or simultaneously—behaved like a cause and a rational nation. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
  1. intelligent
  2. logical
  3. reasonable
  4. thinking
  5. coherent
  6. reasoned
  7. valid
  8. sensible
Adjective
  • Silicon Labs said the new laboratory expands its ability to develop secure and intelligent wireless technologies as demand for connected devices grows.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Just over four months later, Google introduced Universal Cart, an intelligent shopping cart that allows consumers to add products from different retailers and purchase them through a single checkout.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • Kitchenware, pantry staples and cookbook publishers are the logical next category.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The handle of the pattern is relatively shallow, so from a trading perspective, placing a stop-loss slightly below its lower boundary near 512 provides a logical way to manage risk.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • The judge then reread his instructions on reasonable doubt before sending them back to continue deliberating.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Deadlocked jurors have deliberated seven days, with one panelist accused of misapplying reasonable doubt, exposing deep divisions over whether the Massachusetts mother is criminally responsible for killing her three young children.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of reasonable
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
Definition of thinking
Adjective
  • What remains particularly valuable is the integration of code, visual standards, accessibility, content and interaction into a coherent model of how an organization behaves.
    — Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Canada and Mexico will need to make a more coherent and concerted effort to join these campaigns—and the United States will need to work much harder to invite them along.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • In layman’s terms, critical thinking is the ability to think independently by questioning claims, weighing evidence, and making reasoned judgments.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of reasoned
Adjective
  • On some issues, former presidential special assistant Fried said, the administration has a valid argument.
    — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The festival is free for children, seniors, college students with valid ID and military with valid ID.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of valid
Adjective
  • Sometimes, long after a sensible bedtime, the sun would break through the cloud for the first time that day.
    — Holden Frith, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The return of Gustavo Hamer feels like a sentimental move rather than necessarily a sensible football decision and Loum Tchaouna has changed clubs for the fifth summer in a row, and didn’t particularly convince for Burnley last season.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sensible

Browse Nearby Words

ration
rational
rationale
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Cite this Entry

“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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