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
His rationales and aims change constantly.
—
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 7 Mar. 2026
But each of these rationales demands a different strategy; eliminating an imminent threat involves a different set of operations than establishing peace in the region (or the world).
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Furthermore, the administration’s rationales keep changing.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Even alternative archives require selection, embellishment, and decisions about emphasis whose rationales may not always be clear.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
For Warsh’s critics, the issue is that his rationales have been incoherent, with no discernible pattern except for advocating higher rates under Democrats and lower rates under Republicans.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 7 Mar. 2026
But each of these rationales demands a different strategy; eliminating an imminent threat involves a different set of operations than establishing peace in the region (or the world).
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
Furthermore, the administration’s rationales keep changing.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
Even alternative archives require selection, embellishment, and decisions about emphasis whose rationales may not always be clear.
—Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
For Warsh’s critics, the issue is that his rationales have been incoherent, with no discernible pattern except for advocating higher rates under Democrats and lower rates under Republicans.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
-
Eric Musselman sat behind a microphone at the bitter end of a bitter regular season for USC, armed only with the same explanations for how a once-hopeful season could come so undone.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Some of the specific explanations the CIA had used were just crazy.—
Scott Pelley,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And one of the reasons Nix wasn’t healthy was that the signal-caller had to pick up more slack in the run game once Dobbins was gone.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
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For similar reasons, many of the foundations and artists’ estates once considered the ultimate authorities (like the Keith Haring Foundation and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts) have ceased offering authentication services.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The sheriff made few policy arguments in his third run for office.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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During closing arguments last week, prosecutors acknowledged the evidence presented in the case was circumstantial.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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