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
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Recent Examples of rational
Raring to go, all the top military brass, including the agitated Eisenhower and his supercilious British counterpart General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis), act as though the rational, needfully single-minded man of science has personally betrayed the mission.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 May 2026
The success of so many Rothkos might better indicate that collectors, when armed with accurate price intel and thus equipped with measured confidence, are taking an increasingly rational approach in their willingness to chase masterpieces.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026
The trick is to remember this the next time a rational decision seems like too much.
—Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Until enforcement imposes consequences that exceed benefits, AI washing will persist as a rational business strategy rather than a risk to a business’s reputation.
—Suvrat Dhanorkar, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Guy Lodge, Variety, 27 May 2026
The success of so many Rothkos might better indicate that collectors, when armed with accurate price intel and thus equipped with measured confidence, are taking an increasingly rational approach in their willingness to chase masterpieces.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026
The trick is to remember this the next time a rational decision seems like too much.
—Chi Varnado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026
Until enforcement imposes consequences that exceed benefits, AI washing will persist as a rational business strategy rather than a risk to a business’s reputation.
—Suvrat Dhanorkar, The Conversation, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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When the heavy lifting of data synthesis and standard analysis is supported by intelligent systems, workers are free to elevate their thinking.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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Accelerating technological innovation Beyond software development, BYD is also investing heavily in the underlying hardware required for intelligent vehicles.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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Intelligence cannot be reduced to analytical logic alone because intelligence itself is not singularly logical.—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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As befits a logical proof, Gödel’s argumentation was very abstract and high-level.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Those deductible expenses generally include reasonable costs of moving household goods and personal effects, plus travel and lodging for the move, but not meals.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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As New York looks forward, however, what are reasonable power expectations for Lindor, Bichette and Polanco, and for Marcus Semien, whose home run totals have dropped from 29 to 23 to 15 to a pace for 12 this year?—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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However, generative AI goes further by packaging information into coherent narratives, recommendations, and decisions.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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The screenplay is episodic, with scenes that do not naturally follow each other to form a coherent narrative, but rather come together to give the audience a full portrait of these three women.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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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
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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
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Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.—
Keith BieryGolick,
Cincinnati.com,
28 Aug. 2019
Adjective
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The judge stressed the narrow grounds on which an arbitration award can be vacated and concluded Tatis failed to offer a valid reason to overcome that standard of review.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 May 2026
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Singh, who is from India, was carrying a valid commercial driver’s license from California and had earlier been granted one by Washington state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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In the end, there was an acceptance that sticking rather than twisting was the most sensible option.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Both offer sensible and balanced judicial philosophies.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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