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
The sweeping scope of the investigations has drawn scrutiny over their feasibility and rationale among trade experts.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
What was their rationale, then?
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
That’s why the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel will be focusing on the sorry state of the state’s insurance market this year — including an earnest attempt to discover the rationale behind the ever-rising premiums and the rate at which insurance claims are denied.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
The administration has offered shifting rationales and timelines since the start of the conflict.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
What was their rationale, then?
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
That’s why the Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel will be focusing on the sorry state of the state’s insurance market this year — including an earnest attempt to discover the rationale behind the ever-rising premiums and the rate at which insurance claims are denied.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026
The administration has offered shifting rationales and timelines since the start of the conflict.
—Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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Two absurd explanations were offered last week for how Poland surpassed Switzerland to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies just 34 years after the collapse of the Soviet empire.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
22 Mar. 2026
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After his arrest, Manzoor told police about his time spent at the organization but would not provide an explanation for how the funds came to be in his account, the records say.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lamar said even she was stopped by a sheriff's deputy for no apparent reason, driving a Mercedes Benz with her child in the backseat.—
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
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The app also encourages users to write a message to the host during the reservation process about the reason for renting.—
Mary Ramsey
March 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For now, the Halligan appeal remains the clearest test case, and the administration seems dead-set on appealing it until the Supreme Court decides whether to consider the matter for a merits argument.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
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But the Vegitalian renders all of those arguments entirely moot, by evoking all the best parts of a meat-laden sandwich meatlessly.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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