1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in logical
according to the rules of logic
insisted there was a rational explanation for the strange creaking noises and that there were no such things as ghosts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in reasonable
based on sound reasoning or information
betting all of your savings on the lottery is not a rational move
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rational
And Pattinson is certainly accomplished at moving from twitchy to twitchier, playing the whole thing as a compulsively rational dialogue with himself.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Martha’s father, a law professor, had trained her to be a rational, step-by-step arguer.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
If more teams have lottery access and the worst teams don’t gain much by being the worst, then more franchises can justify late-season losing as a rational move.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Condemning Israel for its treatment of Palestinian dreams and aspirations is a rational choice.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Martha’s father, a law professor, had trained her to be a rational, step-by-step arguer.
—Cassandra Neyenesch, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026
If more teams have lottery access and the worst teams don’t gain much by being the worst, then more franchises can justify late-season losing as a rational move.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Condemning Israel for its treatment of Palestinian dreams and aspirations is a rational choice.
—Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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If dinosaurs were strong and intelligent — if humans didn’t really deserve to inherit the Earth from them — then their death in a cosmic freak accident represents unimaginable loss.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
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For years, now, we have been forced to tap, swipe, and scan in an outdated infrastructure, built for a pre-intelligent era.—
Alex Israel,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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So the two simplest logical paths for explaining neutrino mass led to the same place.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
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One logical conclusion is a return to the early days of publishing, when only the super-wealthy (or those lucky enough to have a rich patron) could afford to write for a living.—
Francesca Cassidy,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In 2012, 73 percent of Coloradans approved Amendment 65, which instructs our legislature and congressional delegation to support a federal constitutional amendment allowing reasonable limits on campaign spending.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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Afterward, in his hallway scrum with mostly local reporters, Auriemma settled down and was more himself, more reasonable.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Not a new one every year, but a coherent, sustained commitment to supporting and educating student in every zip code.—
Opinion Staff,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
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Attempting a coherent portrait of Groypers can feel a bit like trying to describe the plot of a Surrealist film, or a fantasy board game that takes place in its own universe.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Humor can release the writer from values of the past, along with judgment and disapproval, and instead, humor can become the very conduit for re-thinking events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Nov. 2025
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Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.—
Keith BieryGolick,
Cincinnati.com,
28 Aug. 2019
Adjective
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That code states that price changes cannot be made unilaterally without stating a valid reason in advance.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
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Merritt was booked into a Broward County jail on charges of disorderly conduct and operating a vehicle without a valid license.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Did all the sensible Pentagon brass get fired for wearing dresses or something?—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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All that is needed is some sensible leadership of the sort being put on display in New York City.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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