1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
And Pattinson is certainly accomplished at moving from twitchy to twitchier, playing the whole thing as a compulsively rational dialogue with himself.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Martha’s father, a law professor, had trained her to be a rational, step-by-step arguer.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
If more teams have lottery access and the worst teams don’t gain much by being the worst, then more franchises can justify late-season losing as a rational move.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Condemning Israel for its treatment of Palestinian dreams and aspirations is a rational choice.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Martha’s father, a law professor, had trained her to be a rational, step-by-step arguer.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
If more teams have lottery access and the worst teams don’t gain much by being the worst, then more franchises can justify late-season losing as a rational move.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Condemning Israel for its treatment of Palestinian dreams and aspirations is a rational choice.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
-
If dinosaurs were strong and intelligent — if humans didn’t really deserve to inherit the Earth from them — then their death in a cosmic freak accident represents unimaginable loss.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For years, now, we have been forced to tap, swipe, and scan in an outdated infrastructure, built for a pre-intelligent era.—
Alex Israel,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This means a single physical qubit can contribute to multiple logical qubits, significantly improving overall efficiency and reducing hardware demands.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Apr. 2026
-
If that scenario sounds familiar, a greenhouse might be your next logical move.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In 2012, 73 percent of Coloradans approved Amendment 65, which instructs our legislature and congressional delegation to support a federal constitutional amendment allowing reasonable limits on campaign spending.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Afterward, in his hallway scrum with mostly local reporters, Auriemma settled down and was more himself, more reasonable.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The task of Survivor story producers and editors requires making tough choices in order to condense 26 days of content into 13 episodes while telling a coherent story about the handful of players who make it to the end.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Far from exhibiting a coherent or consistent set of values, carnival has been co-opted by—and used to promote the philosophies of—various movements, from the Protestant Reformation to National Socialism.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
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
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
Adjective
-
The waiver will remain valid for up to three years, but Licata plans to pursue his Texas certification before that, Geren said.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The remaining provisions of these Official Rules will continue to be valid and enforceable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Big horizons meet daily realities as the instinctive Moon explores your pensive 9th house and squares Jupiter in your sensible 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Scientifically speaking, the most sensible thing is to conduct further research to investigate the extent to which a factor such as gender influences efficacy and whether there may be other influencing factors.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
