as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rationale
His rationale is simple: Allowing Nvidia to compete with China’s champion, Huawei Technologies Co., on its own turf is essential to America winning the AI race.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
The same rationale was offered in opposition of the anti-DEI proposals.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Even though Stanway’s recovery had gone very well, the rationale was not to rush her back.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025
But it doesn’t get very thoroughly explored in Kermani’s screenplay, which teases with occult aspects that become red herrings, then doesn’t provide the alternative rationale of quasi-religious hysteria much definition, either.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 July 2025
The same rationale was offered in opposition of the anti-DEI proposals.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Even though Stanway’s recovery had gone very well, the rationale was not to rush her back.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025
But it doesn’t get very thoroughly explored in Kermani’s screenplay, which teases with occult aspects that become red herrings, then doesn’t provide the alternative rationale of quasi-religious hysteria much definition, either.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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On the other hand, vague explanations or rigid policies may suggest pay inequities, poor planning, or a top-down management structure.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Most questions are multiple-choice, but some seek explanations.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Moving firewood from one place to another is the likely reason for how the insect has been able to hopscotch into 33 states and Canada, killing hundreds of millions of trees in what amounts to the blink of an eye in forest terms.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The administration maintains that the naysayers are wrong, and alas, there is indeed reason to suspect the official narrative of financial experts.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
Noun
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And in some cases, those arguments are idiosyncratic to the Trump administration specifically.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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The argument for the stance is its helpful for defensive reasons, including framing pitches on the corners.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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