rationales

plural of rationale
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rationales Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers. Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 For Mary Kay, the latter of these rationales seems to have been clothed in the guise of the former, though the precise catalyst for establishing her own outfit remains indeterminate. Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 State legislators have various rationales for getting involved in national security policy. Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 That, together with preemptive blocking and generalized rationales, suggests that the volunteer community is increasingly prioritizing prevention, efficiency and content quality over efforts to rehabilitate new users. Ryan McGrady, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 Cicero has been my nemesis in this book, for unconscionably grasping for elder power and offering up rationales for doing so repeated over the centuries. Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 Transparency mechanisms such as feature attribution logging and traceable alert rationales are becoming standard components in pharmacy AI platforms. Ethan Stone june 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 June 2026 The lawsuit also includes a lot of lengthy rationales that this is cultural appropriation of an Indigenous person that has nothing to do with the legality of Right of Publicity. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
  • However, the findings place tighter limits on explanations for superconductivity in magic-angle graphene.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Perlis, an artist, radio host and Marin native, doesn’t strive for sociological or demographic explanations.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • And there might be strategic reasons to hold Luzardo back for a potential Game 3.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The move is striking for a number of reasons, ranging from the existing budget disparities between the two parties involved to the fact that the money would be used for projects that the current NIH leadership has explicitly rejected.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In the ongoing debate about the usefulness of data centers, or the overwhelming curse of the same, both sides have their arguments.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
  • That would mean other judges on the 9th Circuit would review the arguments.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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