Thesaurus results for RATIONALE

rationale

noun

ˌra-shə-ˈnal

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

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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 In a message to members on the MEA website, union leaders explained the rationale for accepting pay raises combined with furloughs. —

David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2026 At the same time, hiring has picked up in recent months, removing a key rationale for cutting rates. —

Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 Lee separately elaborated on the strategic rationale in a statement tied to the announcement. —

Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 17 June 2026 Trump also applied the same rationale to allowing Iran to develop nuclear power for civilian use, noting that other countries are permitted to do so as well. —

Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale

Noun

Predicting pink Dig a little deeper, and another possible explanation for the abundance of pink at the tournament emerges.

— Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 22 June 2026
Much of the international media dutifully reported Russia’s explanation alongside reports of the attack, creating the impression that responsibility remained genuinely uncertain and that both narratives deserved roughly equal consideration.

— Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026