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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
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Like too many hack politicians, Wardlaw seems long on excuses and short on explanations.—
Robert Steinbuch,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
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Results appear in about 30 seconds along with clear explanations and recommendations.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Why Atlas stood out at CES 2026 CNET pointed to Atlas’ humanlike walking ability and refined industrial design as key reasons for the award.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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If the reasons behind an expense feel fuzzy, analyze the details and ask for a clear summary, because precise information turns hesitation into a calm, confident decision.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Powell trial could serve as a literal test case to see how a jury reacts to testimony about allegations that date back some 50 years and arguments about what level of scrutiny Riverside should have given Lorch and the basketball program.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Why did so many people in states with Democrat-majority governments want to keep the COVID emergency going, want it so badly that all rational arguments offered in support of reopening were ignored or answered with obscenity-laden accusations of grandma-killing?—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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