rational

adjective

ˈrash-nəl How to pronounce rational (audio)
Definition of rationalnext
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

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 When this kind of overconfidence around new tech fades, the authors posit, losses from a market correction can be swift and severe, more so than in the rational scenario. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026 An expert in hand-to-hand combat, Marcus becomes a steady, rational presence in Slough House, often teaming with Shirley on duty and tempering her volatile energy. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 Gorbachev, still consolidating power, was taking a risk by bucking anti-American hawks back in Moscow and standing with Reagan to join him in officially ruling out nuclear war as a rational instrument of policy. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 Of course, Victor Fleming’s seminal film tops any rational list of cinematic adaptations. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
  1. intelligent
  2. logical
  3. reasonable
  4. thinking
  5. coherent
  6. reasoned
  7. valid
  8. sensible
Adjective
  • Nobody in their right mind would argue that Alphabet and Nvidia need laws to protect them from competition, but lots of otherwise intelligent people believe that banks, an even more profitable group of companies, do need such protection.
    — Omid Malekan, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Goodbye, intelligent devices and Bluetooth-enabled everything.
    — Kelsey Mulvey, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • When there are multiple logical possibilities for what the next word should be, the model typically selects one of those words by chance, based on their relative frequencies in the data.
    — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • For five of the Buss siblings, selling the remaining stake can be viewed as the logical conclusion of a process that began when the family surrendered control of the Lakers last year.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • And there is a reasonable likelihood that two of them will end up playing each other on Arthur Ashe either for history, or for the chance to make it, which will lead to unforeseen levels of patriotic tension.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • City officials say this boosts transparency, sets reasonable expectations and may deter people from repeatedly issuing the same complaint.
    — Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 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
  • Want to make your messages sound more posh, or more academic, or just more coherent?
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Jack in the Box has some of the same ingredients — an irreverent brand voice, a broad menu and a willingness to experiment — but needs to turn them into a more coherent proposition.
    — Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Definition of reasoned
Adjective
  • While the outcome was not made public, sources briefed on the case, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, told The Athletic an independent tribunal determined earlier this year that the contract did in fact remain valid.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Once approved, an ETIAS will generally remain valid for three years and can be used for multiple trips, provided the passport connected to it remains valid.
    — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of valid
Adjective
  • Porter calls the rule a sensible and carefully designed first step, but his argument is that protection and leadership are different things.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • This might have discouraged a sensible man from deciding to become a publisher.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensible

Browse Nearby Words

ration
rational
rationale
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Cite this Entry

“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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