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
Relevance
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 rationale
The first is standardized reporting that discloses trial funding, investigator payments, enrollment criteria and the rationale for site selection.
—
Sukhun Kang, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Bernstein analysts wrote in a note to clients on Friday that while there is overlap between GameStop's and eBay's businesses in games, toys and collectibles, the strategic rationale for such a deal remains unclear.
—Yun Li,anniek Bao,annie Palmer, CNBC, 4 May 2026
The rationale behind this is a real insult to voters’ intelligence.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
But representatives of Ofland Hotels didn’t cite the litigation as rationale for walking away from the project.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Sukhun Kang, The Conversation, 6 May 2026
Bernstein analysts wrote in a note to clients on Friday that while there is overlap between GameStop's and eBay's businesses in games, toys and collectibles, the strategic rationale for such a deal remains unclear.
—Yun Li,anniek Bao,annie Palmer, CNBC, 4 May 2026
The rationale behind this is a real insult to voters’ intelligence.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
But representatives of Ofland Hotels didn’t cite the litigation as rationale for walking away from the project.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
-
The aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis offered a partial explanation.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
Then, about a week after the jury was announced, its members collectively quit, without an explanation.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
While Miller and his colleagues note in their study that past efforts to convince gun-owning households with kids to safely store their firearms haven't succeeded, Sathya sees reasons to be optimistic in his own health system.—
Rhitu Chatterjee,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
This is one reason why a partner of someone with avoidant attachment may perceive their partner as emotionally unavailable, overly self-sufficient, detached or distant or resistant to commitment.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Unsigned editorials reflect the consensus of our editorial board, with the aim of offering arguments that are empirically sound and intellectually consistent.—
Teagan Davidge,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Swann, in other words, takes Washburn’s side of the animal-mind argument.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
