1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The amendments demanded districts for both Congress and the state Legislature that were drawn along rational lines, and without any attempt to favor one party over another.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
First is that the upbeat thesis is fully rational and plausible.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Edoardo is more extroverted and very rational, Angelo is more execution-driven.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 5 Jan. 2026
Sometimes, rational decisions made in isolation lead to irrational outcomes for everyone involved.
—James L. Whiteside, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
First is that the upbeat thesis is fully rational and plausible.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
Edoardo is more extroverted and very rational, Angelo is more execution-driven.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 5 Jan. 2026
Sometimes, rational decisions made in isolation lead to irrational outcomes for everyone involved.
—James L. Whiteside, STAT, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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Caterpillar’s intelligent product lineup spans core construction and earthmoving equipment, along with connected site systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Conversely, if these foundations can be reinforced, even partially, the intelligent age may yet fulfil its promise of progress.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But logical arguments won't change a person's mind unless the emotional foundation is also addressed.—
Gwen Faulkenberry,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
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All in all, the Wave For 2 seems like a logical addition to a lineup that was previously focused on family camper vans for four to six people.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Advertisement Think smart regulation, not more regulation The dealmaking bonanza on Wall Street since Biden Administration officials left office offers a reasonable gauge of the damage inflicted when regulatory agencies are captured by ideology.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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The only reasonable, logical explanation to Indiana University’s success in football is not coaching, but cheating.—
Mac Engel
January 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The title—The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars—suggests a coherent narrative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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Pahlavi doesn’t appear to have a coherent follow-up plan, however.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The ledger is the foundation of reasoned conclusion.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
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The differences between any given Grokipedia and Wikipedia entry are in some sense hard to debate because there is no shared ground upon which to have a reasoned disagreement; to gravitate toward Grokipedia is to leave the world of evidence for that of belief.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
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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However, Navajo officials have raised concerns that federal agents haven’t consistently recognized these documents as valid and could still detain tribal members.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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Munoz-Guatemala was also convicted of driving without a valid license and was charged multiple times for driving illegally.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The underlying data also illustrates why Doekhi would be such a sensible fit in the Leeds defence.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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Anderson’s bestsellers are high-performing, yes, but also come with sensible price tags attached.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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