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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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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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 The pair’s mysterious interactions in the early chapters give way to a series of parables of doubt and belief, in which a rational character is confronted by an irrational event—and immediately convinced of its absolute truth. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 Politically, the rational stance is to punt and hope for another opportunity in 2030. — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026 In an article for Marie Claire, Rapinoe trotted out several common left-wing talking points aimed at scaring rational-thinking people into believing that keeping males out of women's sports is somehow bad for girls and women. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 In these scenarios, whether real cases or rational distortions, everybody wins. — Kyle Devine, Longreads, 14 July 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
  • This helps explain why intelligent, experienced leaders can continue producing results while missing the early signs that their judgment, relationships, health, or influence are beginning to slide.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Inside the new controller Rather than storing data itself, the MXC chip acts as an intelligent bridge between a server’s processor and external DDR5 memory.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • More importantly, the researchers found that the effective logical error rate was 10 times lower than the physical error rate.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
  • The Cardinals needed an available reliever more than a starter recovering from a 77-pitch appearance, making Dobbins the logical roster casualty despite his otherwise solid work during his first extended opportunity in the major leagues.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • The example demonstrates how an owner might maintain an attractive base rate while making a reasonable margin through relevant extras.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The three-prospect package going to the Tigers seems like a reasonable price for two months of a pitcher who underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow in May.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 2 Aug. 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
  • Maintaining a coherent strategy across a sprawling national security bureaucracy becomes more difficult over the course of a long conflict.
    — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Characters must be coherent; plots must be tight and any gaps in the plot must be patched.
    — Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of coherent
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
Definition of reasoned
Adjective
  • An agent holding valid credentials, performing thousands of plausible-looking actions across four days, trips neither alarm.
    — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The movie taps into what’s noble and valid and genuine about those feelings.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of valid
Adjective
  • Most sensible observers will recognise that his level of influence sits somewhere in the middle.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • By Season 6, however, Schroeder had evolved into the most sensible person on the Bravo hit, and her love affair with Beau Clark won over the audience’s hearts.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of sensible

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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 5 Aug. 2026.

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