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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There are two possible explanations for the observed flight.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
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Possible explanations include changes in blood pressure, heart rate and even circadian rhythms (the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle).—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There are good reasons for wanting to learn from Switzerland’s experience.—
Peter Vanham,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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Layoffs can occur for many reasons; while they can be viewed as a signal about how companies view economic headwinds, the reasons may also be more localized to individual companies amid restructuring or plans to maximize profits.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Follow along for updates of today's arguments.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Such cases do not require full arguments but can indicate where the court is headed.—
Graham G. Dodds,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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