Thesaurus results for RATIONALE

rationale

noun

ˌra-shə-ˈnal

Definition of rationale

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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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 rationale That’s what a member of a neighborhood patrol in Buenos Aires told the newspaper El País, describing the rationale for monitoring police operations against street vendors and immigrants. — Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 This school doesn’t represent a new direction in the PLA’s rationale. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026 The majority in the brief unsigned opinion did not give a rationale for lifting that block. — Julian Mark, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026 The move also follows a broader purge of the military’s senior ranks under Hegseth, who has fired or sidelined a string of top officers without publicly explaining the rationale. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale

Noun

Aquarius January 20 – February 18 A bigger idea may need a clearer explanation today.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026
The process starts with the official voter guide, then suggests copying the exact language of a measure into an AI chatbot and asking for a plain-English explanation.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

The reason is that sellers will give up some money to avoid the risk that a buyer’s financing falls through.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Borisov’s brainy, tender, deeply contemplative performance lends an anchoring humanity to a film that might otherwise have curdled into sourness and despair — though there’s plenty of reason for that.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

An argument made a fortiori gives an even more convincing reason than one that has already been accepted.

— Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026
But Hill admitted to shoving his wife Keeta Vaccaro, 30, against the wall during an argument inside their Sunny Isles condo.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of argument

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“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationale

noun

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