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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Recent Examples of rationale
Director Bill Pulte has written or shared more than a dozen posts on social media calling for Powell’s resignation and sharing the rationale for doing so, throwing his politically independent agency into a partisan battle.
—
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 June 2025
The end of the penny has been debated in the U.S. since the early 1990s, when Republicans and Democrats alike supported legislative bids to do away with the penny, drawing on cost-benefit analysis as their rationale.
—Antoinette Burton, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
But the judge didn’t endorse the NCAA’s preferred rationale.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 June 2025
While scheduling around reconciliation may be leadership’s rationale, the bill also faced pushback from fiscal conservatives, particularly within the House Freedom Caucus.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 June 2025
The end of the penny has been debated in the U.S. since the early 1990s, when Republicans and Democrats alike supported legislative bids to do away with the penny, drawing on cost-benefit analysis as their rationale.
—Antoinette Burton, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025
But the judge didn’t endorse the NCAA’s preferred rationale.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 June 2025
While scheduling around reconciliation may be leadership’s rationale, the bill also faced pushback from fiscal conservatives, particularly within the House Freedom Caucus.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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However, without explanation, the company withdrew the bid protest four days later on July 1.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
21 June 2025
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But in its most simple explanation, the Chiefs trick people.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2025
Noun
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There is no reason to believe that an enemy wouldn’t take a page out of the Israeli playbook and go after leadership.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2025
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The two vehicles collided in a head-on collision for an unknown reason, state police said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2025
Noun
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But Carlson has broken away from other Republicans over the Israel-Iran argument.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
18 June 2025
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The news outlets say that the argument runs contrary to what OpenAI tells its users about being subject to retaining data if the law requires it.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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