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
After that, look at the strategic rationale itself.
—
Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The rationale for this smear is that Reid Hoffman, a donor to moderate liberal causes, knew Jeffrey Epstein.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
Others tried to find rationale in the death penalty once faced with it.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026
No surprise that the rationale provoked instant social media outrage.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The rationale for this smear is that Reid Hoffman, a donor to moderate liberal causes, knew Jeffrey Epstein.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
Others tried to find rationale in the death penalty once faced with it.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 20 May 2026
No surprise that the rationale provoked instant social media outrage.
—Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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In other words, regulators reached for a regulatory explanation—burdensome listing rules—for a phenomenon with structural economic roots.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Nester said there is an innocent explanation.—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Noun
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There is no good reason for what just happened over the past six days.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
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At this point the Red Sox are in serious danger, and the only reason the club is even within striking distance of a playoff spot is because the rest of the American League has been so poor.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
Noun
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There are arguments each one in terms of the same themes of power and agency and wielding that.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
30 May 2026
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But these arguments, about how free expression is defined, whether art that offends is inherently harmful, and whose sensibilities determine what art gets shown to the public, would recur again and again.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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