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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Example Sentences
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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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To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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From there, the tool offers up five colors, with explanations for how each suits the theme or prompt and links back to further information about those colors and their importance.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The constant arguments during quarantine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The judges in a federal appeals court in New York on Tuesday were skeptical of arguments by a lawyer for Sam Bankman-Fried that his conviction for a multi-billion-dollar fraud related to his cryptocurrency exchange FTX and an associated hedge fund should be tossed out.—
Dawn Giel,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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