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
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
All of these rationales have further raised the stakes on what will happen after the Party Congress is finished.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2022
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
All of these rationales have further raised the stakes on what will happen after the Party Congress is finished.
—Yanzhong Huang, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
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The cause of the Little Ice Age is unclear, but volcanic activity belching volcanic ash high into the atmosphere and blocking sunlight is one of the most likely explanations.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Friesen and coauthors share some general explanations.—
Anna Marija Helt,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The route, closed to the public for security reasons, was lined by 22 half-companies representing all branches of the armed forces.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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The very different siblings, who are each going through their own personal life challenges, have naturally gone in separate directions over the years, and the idea of spending 10 days cooped up on a river cruise together makes each Keller child cringe for their own reasons.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors and defense attorneys are scheduled to make their closing arguments on Wednesday, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Steer clear of controversial subjects to avoid arguments.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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