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
Trump’s penchant for wielding emergency powers and national security rationales to take trade action has shone a spotlight on this problem.
—
Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Decisions, rationales, and patterns become durable.
—Awaneesh Verma, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
In the days since the raid, the White House has offered a mess of contradictory plans and rationales.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump has not highlighted human rights and democracy as rationales for capturing Maduro.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Agencies must understand how systems reach conclusions and be able to articulate those rationales to families and courts.
—Maureen Flatley, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
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
Inu Manak, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Decisions, rationales, and patterns become durable.
—Awaneesh Verma, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
In the days since the raid, the White House has offered a mess of contradictory plans and rationales.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
Trump has not highlighted human rights and democracy as rationales for capturing Maduro.
—Shelley Inglis, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
Agencies must understand how systems reach conclusions and be able to articulate those rationales to families and courts.
—Maureen Flatley, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
-
Confidence isn’t created by explanations.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Of course, other explanations are possible.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For these reasons, snow mushrooms are a good choice for dry skin but can also be appropriate for all skin types.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the forklift program stands out for many reasons.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In support of the Fed’s independence, current and former Fed officials attended the oral arguments, including Fed Governor Michael Barr, former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke, and Powell himself.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The Supreme Court previously allowed Cook to remain in her role pending the oral arguments.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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