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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rational
The auction takes on a life of its own, as bidders lose the capacity to make rational decisions in their desire to win.
—
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The rational, deliberate part of their mind should be delighted.
—Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Knowledge is not understood as the product of an objective and rational analysis of reality, but as the result of an intersubjective negotiation process.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
No rational argument could convince them otherwise.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
The rational, deliberate part of their mind should be delighted.
—Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Knowledge is not understood as the product of an objective and rational analysis of reality, but as the result of an intersubjective negotiation process.
—Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
No rational argument could convince them otherwise.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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The next is making the grid intelligent enough to absorb that power at scale—flexible, predictive, and reliable.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
An immersive, intelligent debut.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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As far as the second outside cornerback is concerned, the most logical answer would be JuJu Brents, who looked impressive in his two starts in 2025 prior to sustaining a foot injury in Week 11 that required season-ending surgery.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
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On one hand, when a team selects in the lottery, the logical next step is a draft party, part of the hype of the next newcomer to be marketed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The ten-course meal costs a hundred and forty dollars per person, which is not exactly sofa-cushion change but does feel reasonable given that such high-flying pastry is normally available only at the end of ultra-ritzy meals of considerably higher expense.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
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Finding the perfect venue to have a ring, a backstage area, paying fees and setting a reasonable ticket price are all things that have to be considered.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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From the outside, her life looked coherent.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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Without a coherent federal framework, patients in underserved areas will keep waiting for care that AI could safely deliver, while states cycle through ad hoc deployments and predictable backlash.—
Alon Bergman,
STAT,
11 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 vulnerability allowed attackers to bypass two-factor authentication protections after obtaining valid login credentials.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
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Presenting a utility bill as a valid form of identification at a voting precinct in West Virginia has gone the way of the tavern polling place and the punch-card ballot.—
John Raby,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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However, learning when and how to prune a dogwood tree is sensible to help keep your specimen looking and feeling its best.—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
11 May 2026
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According to Arthur Ream, a computer information systems lecturer at Bentley University, the home-as-data-center model is plausible, already happening, and a sensible answer for inference workloads, if not training.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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