RATIONAL Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

rational

adjective

ˈrash-nəl

Definition of rational

as in intelligent

having the ability to reason human beings are rational creatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 This is not to impugn the nobility of counting, of the close and careful observation of nature, of the rational, ordered efforts to understand it. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026 The fact, in other words, that there often isn’t a right answer or a clear victor—and that rational people are subject to irrational forces within and above them. — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Mathematicians have long known that some polynomial equations have only rational solutions, while others have irrational solutions (such as ). — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026 The ballroom, however, almost seems like a rational investment compared with the arch that Trump wants to build in front of America’s most hallowed ground. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rational

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational

Adjective

By providing 24/7 availability and intelligent routing, AI contact centers can help reduce wait times, improve access and ensure no call for help goes unanswered.

— Sameer Bhat, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
With every whimper, sigh, howl, bark and head tilt, these dogs create an empathetic portrayal of a highly intelligent creature that has been through battle and has the scars (and nightmares) to prove it.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of intelligent

Adjective

Now five decades in the business, the company framed the launch as the next logical step for a brand with products that are built to last and to be passed on between friends, families, and now shoppers.

— Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Eight of the trophies the club won under Mansour came during the years under investigation, so handing them over to the teams that finished behind City while following the rules seems like a logical solution.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of logical

Adjective

No reasonable person looking at her case would have called her a threat to anyone.

— Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Defense lawyer Dameka Davis told the jury prosecutors failed at the first task of a murder trial — to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the victim was dead.

— Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 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

Recovery, when it’s required, is faster and more coherent because all stakeholders are working from the same operational picture.

— Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
By entangling 30 logical qubits in a single, coherent quantum state, Infleqtion has validated the core architecture of its Sqale hardware and Superstaq software, on its roadmap to deliver 100 logical qubits by 2028.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 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

Payday loans Usually capped at $500, payday loans are a form of short-term financing that typically only require a valid ID, proof of income and an active checking account.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
All forms of grief are valid, and the beautiful thing about this story is that in the end there was finally a reunification between the two sides.

— Roberto Prieto, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of valid

Browse Nearby Words

ration

rational

rationale

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rational

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

heterodox

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes