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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Perhaps licensing the traits and voices of those characters is the next logical step.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
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With Jordyn Brooks entrenched as Miami’s starting weak-side linebacker, a logical hypothesis is that Rodriguez and Dodson are competing to see who starts next to the NFL’s leading tackler.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
3 June 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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Trying to turn this into a coherent human-understandable explanation is quite challenging.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
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So quite a bit of coherent narrative has already emerged from the soup.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
1 June 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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Folks need to have a valid match ticket for the charter service, which is only available on match days, and begins around five hours before kickoff and will operate three hours after the game.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
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These were all valid objectives, but none of them clearly defined the decision the system was meant to improve.—
Hari Sonnenahalli,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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Their goal, according to Barbara Chan, an organizer behind the No on C campaign, was to first defeat Measure C before pursuing what the group believes would be a more financially sensible solution for the city.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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People see you as sensible and ready to assume the responsibilities of the position.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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