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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Even if the rationale behind all of those films are understandable in a vacuum, that recap hardly reads like the story of a blue chip IP. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026 That, along with the soldier’s account, raises serious questions about Israel’s rationale for the strikes. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Nor was there any attempt to explain the rationale for going to war to the American public. — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 23 Aug. 2026 That's part of the rationale behind the new Recover Elements – Destroy Undesirables – Create Energy (REDUCE) project. — David Szondy august 22, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationale

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale

Noun

His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail.

— Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
The recreation is populated with people, animals, sound effects, and audio explanations.

— Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

After wrapping up its longest monthly losing streak on Wall Street in more than a decade, Google has started September by giving investors several reasons for optimism.

— MacKenzie Sigalos,Drew Troast, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Another company might have seen the same 20% decline for entirely different reasons.

— James Fratzke, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of reason

Noun

This turns into a big argument about Issa being a weird little guy, and suddenly there are multiple potential roommate schisms in the house.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Computer science emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the following decades, when the research traditions of math and engineering came together, and arguments about the nature of the new field soon followed.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of argument

Browse Nearby Words

rational

rationale

rationales

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of rationale

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes