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
In the United States, community health workers do the same work and hold the same trust, particularly in places where people have long and rational reasons to distrust the government.
—
Tyler Evans,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Tiny, cheap cameras like this aren’t really useful or rational purchases, but that’s a part of the attraction.
—
New Atlas,
28 June 2026
The couple of times I was offered a vehicle, the routing was so bad that no rational person would accept it.
—
Rakesh Agrawal,
PC Magazine,
28 June 2026
Cassetta leans toward the rational.
—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Tyler Evans,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
Tiny, cheap cameras like this aren’t really useful or rational purchases, but that’s a part of the attraction.
—
New Atlas,
28 June 2026
The couple of times I was offered a vehicle, the routing was so bad that no rational person would accept it.
—
Rakesh Agrawal,
PC Magazine,
28 June 2026
Cassetta leans toward the rational.
—
The Editors,
Robb Report,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
-
The robot staff behind the scenes Pudu's FlashBot will run an intelligent vending system, allowing guests to order drink deliveries by smartphone.
-
His after-game interviews were always intelligent and sometimes humorous.
Adjective
-
The business solution provider, on the other hand, acts as the logical custodian of critical processes.
-
Those are legitimate concerns, and yet the rebuttals are just as logical.
Adjective
-
To prove religious discrimination in the workplace, a party needs to prove disparate treatment or that the employer failed to make reasonable accommodations for someone trying to practice their religious beliefs.
-
Use earphones for music and movies and keep conversations at a reasonable volume.
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.
-
Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.
Adjective
-
After all, the material appears thoughtful, coherent and well argued.
-
Policymakers, meanwhile, control the levers that determine whether all of this remains fragmented or becomes coherent.
Adjective
-
None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.
-
This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.
Adjective
-
Club sources insist the process of finding a successor to Marco Silva remains ongoing and that comments made last week by Fulham vice chairman and director of football operations Tony Khan that there were two leading candidates for the role remain valid.
-
Yet amidst the hype, scientists working in the aging field are broadly in agreement that the underlying notion is valid.
Adjective
-
Trump taking the country to war with Iran, in part at the urging of his pal Bibi — without any sensible plan, debate, sanction from Congress or consideration as to how this might hurt Americans already struggling to make ends meet.
-
Google says the update will roll out over the coming days and weeks, but updating manually is sensible and easy.
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
