Thesaurus results for RATIONALE

rationale

noun

ˌra-shə-ˈnal

Definition of rationale

as in explanation

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

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 rationale His attorneys claim that, when searching for Murkerson’s vehicle, sheriff’s deputies entered nonsense rationales. — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Notifying our offices on the day the decision was made public, without prior conversations or an opportunity to understand the rationale and explore potential solutions, is unacceptable. — Noelle Lilley, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 The source said SpaceX did not warn Ukraine of the move or answer questions about the rationale for the halt. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 There’s a few things that may have changed that led Netflix to this point, and the streamer’s rationale is likely a combination of all of them rather than just one. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale

Noun

But conventional explanations emphasizing liberalism’s association with economic development and the rise of a middle class cannot fully account for ideological shifts.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
But the younger Trejo’s account at least offers an explanation for why his father took the job with Shapiro’s Daily Wire.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

Here, Benavidez Clayton dives into the reasons behind BCI’s regenerative push, why social impact is a critical piece of the puzzle and how brands can get involved.

— SJ Studio, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is a treasure, and a public good Arkansans have reason to support.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

But Lugo concurred with Teymouri’s argument that the family’s extreme wealth and potential risk of flight required her to set a high bail.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The argument is designed to provide cover for the dehumanizing policies of the administration against immigrants and their families.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of argument

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rational

rationale

rationales

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“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationale

noun

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