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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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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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 So in the short term, these employers are arguably making an economically rational decision — but one that may still come at their employees’ expense. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 Americans cast English severity as evidence of an old, corrupt political order and imagined their own laws as rational, proportionate and suited to free citizens. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Defense can’t be too timid, but there needs to be rational response to an asymmetric downside. — Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 Humans, in contrast, have souls that are additionally capable of rational thought. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Sep. 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
  • For much of the world, the AI that would matter most may not be the most intelligent model ever built.
    — Keyu Jin, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
  • This all-loving creator is ever present, completely good, and the intelligent source of immortal truth and unending love.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intelligent
Adjective
  • But there’s something bracingly logical about injecting the synthetic jolt of electronic dance music into a hospital environment, where vulnerable bodies are sustained by machines.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2026
  • With 40 percent of its revenue generated by returning customers, Braquet said this focus was the logical next step and the motivation in their ongoing first funding round.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • March 21 – April 19 Someone else’s disappointment could make a reasonable decision feel surprisingly difficult.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Aries March 21 – April 19 Someone else’s disappointment could make a reasonable decision feel surprisingly difficult.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 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
  • The team fed two independent infrared lasers into the chip, creating a partially coherent mixture.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Use clear, concise, concrete, coherent, complete, correct, and courteous language.
    — Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of coherent
Adjective
  • But that won’t keep them from trying, and when people’s passions are aroused, and emotions crowd out reasoned thought, anything can happen.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In layman’s terms, critical thinking is the ability to think independently by questioning claims, weighing evidence, and making reasoned judgments.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of reasoned
Adjective
  • Unlike conventional speculative decoding, which checks generated tokens against a target model, VFlash can accept structurally valid visual predictions without requiring token-by-token agreement.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Californians have kept our end of that bargain, but insurance companies have broken their side of the promise by denying, delaying and underpaying valid claims and dropping coverage.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of valid
Adjective
  • The exhibit will include over 200 pieces that play with the sensible, mundane, and high fashion.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The sensible comment might suggest Honeycutt doesn’t care which party or politician follows through with MAHA’s goals, just as long as they’re achieved.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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