Synonyms of rationale

rationale

noun

ˌra-shə-ˈnal 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explanation
• reason
• argument
• justification
• accounting
• apology
• case
• excuse
• account
• defense
• appeal
• rationalization
• plea
• vindication
• alibi
• pretext
• apologia
• pretense
• guise

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rationale

The company says its research interests can extend across therapeutic areas, allowing the scientific rationale for a candidate to guide which programs receive further investigation. — Emma Clapp, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026

Without a direct and blanket statement in the tradition providing a rationale, European and Indian scholars have proposed a variety of theories to explain Hindu divine morphology. — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Even if the rationale behind all of those films are understandable in a vacuum, that recap hardly reads like the story of a blue chip IP. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026

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