as in explanations
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 rationales
Industry observers along with voices on both the political right and left offered differing rationales for why Kimmel was unlikely to return to the small screen any time soon.
—
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
While isolated or modest crypto exposure is unlikely to trigger enforcement action, institutions may want to ensure that their investment policies and rationales are clearly documented, especially in the event of donor scrutiny or audit.
—Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Policy-heavy delete rationales carry weight.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Evans, chairman Paraag Marathe, and sporting director Adam Underwood can be held to these rationales as United’s campaign unfolds.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
If Britain can declare prayer a punishable offense, how long before the same rationales find their way across the Atlantic?
—Lois McLatchie Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
These various rationales add up to one approach, especially in the most high-design, high-tech high-rises.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
This episode of What’s Ahead demolishes the rationales of these anti-car fanatics.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
The rationales have changed, but the policies remain the same.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 13 Oct. 2024
Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
While isolated or modest crypto exposure is unlikely to trigger enforcement action, institutions may want to ensure that their investment policies and rationales are clearly documented, especially in the event of donor scrutiny or audit.
—Chris Groshong, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Policy-heavy delete rationales carry weight.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Evans, chairman Paraag Marathe, and sporting director Adam Underwood can be held to these rationales as United’s campaign unfolds.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
If Britain can declare prayer a punishable offense, how long before the same rationales find their way across the Atlantic?
—Lois McLatchie Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
These various rationales add up to one approach, especially in the most high-design, high-tech high-rises.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024
This episode of What’s Ahead demolishes the rationales of these anti-car fanatics.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
The rationales have changed, but the policies remain the same.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 13 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
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Aircraft, ammunition belts, bolts of fabric, mine-working, kilt-making, cement-mixing, nuns, saris and American football have all been marshaled as explanations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
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The prince was widely criticized for failing to show empathy for Epstein's victims and for offering unbelievable explanations for his friendship with the disgraced financier.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Due process requires a commitment to the reasons punishment is sought and thus allows those reasons to be addressed and countered.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
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Advertisers still crave the broad, simultaneous viewership such extravaganzas generate, and marketers that in the past might not have spent heavily on sports now see new reasons to do so.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Now, the case will at least proceed to oral arguments, which are likely to take place in January.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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The court announcements come as the high court prepares for arguments in several high-profile cases.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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