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
  • What starts as a reasonable desire to prevent disease can escalate into constant testing and rigid routines built around an ever-growing roster of supplements and experimental remedies.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The argument about competition against girl athletes is a reasonable one, though apparently very limited in number of events and any advantages.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 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
  • But his successor will have a real chance to break with the status quo and craft a more coherent and more effective Middle East strategy.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Crowd scenes require dozens of background figures to remain coherent.
    — Maureen Kerr, Forbes.com, 18 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
  • The draft ordinance would require landlords to provide a valid reason before evicting a tenant or declining to renew their lease.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Patterson said summertime learning loss is a valid worry, but his proposal doesn’t call for a longer summer or fewer hours in the classroom.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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