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
As rational as a man can be who spends every day trawling a thin stretch of river for evidence of his son, Daniel seems to know that Chris is dead.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
As a result, multiple similar searches were carried out at various points haphazardly and a tangle of bureaucracy made authorities play catch up to press reports rather than conduct independent and rational investigations.
—Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
In other words, silence is rational.
—Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers' ruling was expected after a hearing early this month, at which both prosecutors and Hinton's attorneys agreed that Hinton has a serious mental illness that significantly impaired his ability to exercise rational judgment.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
As a result, multiple similar searches were carried out at various points haphazardly and a tangle of bureaucracy made authorities play catch up to press reports rather than conduct independent and rational investigations.
—Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
In other words, silence is rational.
—Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers' ruling was expected after a hearing early this month, at which both prosecutors and Hinton's attorneys agreed that Hinton has a serious mental illness that significantly impaired his ability to exercise rational judgment.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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Its intelligent navigation helps ensure effective coverage, while the real-time self-cleaning system helps maintain a cleaner roller with each pass.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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According to Charles Darwin, survival belongs not to the strongest species, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That doesn’t make sense to me as a logical move.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
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The logical solution, now that most of the desirable free-agent hitters are off the board, is for the Pirates to sign McCutchen to another one-year deal, then make the joint announcement that this season will be his last.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Columbia Heights was as prepared for an immigration crackdown as could be reasonably expected of any community or school system—but there has been nothing reasonable about the ICE terror campaign.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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Finding that type of player, for a reasonable price, is the difficult part.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The critical question is whether her provider’s workflow can synthesize this data into a coherent health picture.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Each issue curates essays, interviews, frameworks, and visual explainers that add up to a coherent exploration of a topic that matters.—
Daphne Koller,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The ledger is the foundation of reasoned conclusion.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 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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Travelers can pay the ConfirmID fee online, and the payment is valid for 10 days from the first date of travel.—
Jordan Green,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
3 Feb. 2026
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October 23 – November 21 Your needs are valid, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Forest did some sensible business.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
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Contemporary Germany provides positive, sensible leadership for Europe and beyond.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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