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

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 rationale is that, on the basis of screen time and centrality to the plot, no individual is a clear lead over the others. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 In his request submitted on Tuesday, Murphy also asked DHS for the number of arrests made at or near bus stops, playgrounds and daycare facilities and the rationale for that. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026 Further, the firm’s rationale for ignoring the threat seemed untrustworthy. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026 One rationale was that Michigan quarterback Dennis Franklin broke his collarbone late in the Ohio State game, but Schembechler didn’t buy it. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale

Noun

His doctors offer neurological explanations, but identifying a change in the insula does not settle what that change means to the person living through it.

— Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
If something goes wrong and the customer has to chase someone down for an explanation, the problem becomes bigger than the original mistake.

— Levi King, Forbes.com, 1 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

Browse Nearby Words

rational

rationale

rationales

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rationale

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes