1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
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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
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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
As rational as a man can be who spends every day trawling a thin stretch of river for evidence of his son, Daniel seems to know that Chris is dead.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
As a result, multiple similar searches were carried out at various points haphazardly and a tangle of bureaucracy made authorities play catch up to press reports rather than conduct independent and rational investigations.
—Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
In other words, silence is rational.
—Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers' ruling was expected after a hearing early this month, at which both prosecutors and Hinton's attorneys agreed that Hinton has a serious mental illness that significantly impaired his ability to exercise rational judgment.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
As a result, multiple similar searches were carried out at various points haphazardly and a tangle of bureaucracy made authorities play catch up to press reports rather than conduct independent and rational investigations.
—Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 18 Jan. 2026
In other words, silence is rational.
—Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2026
Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers' ruling was expected after a hearing early this month, at which both prosecutors and Hinton's attorneys agreed that Hinton has a serious mental illness that significantly impaired his ability to exercise rational judgment.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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Caterpillar’s intelligent product lineup spans core construction and earthmoving equipment, along with connected site systems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Conversely, if these foundations can be reinforced, even partially, the intelligent age may yet fulfil its promise of progress.—
Klaus Schwab,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That focus on efficiency included a coldly logical approach to salary-cap management, and an update of the bruising defense that Belichick had pioneered with 49ers old rivals, the 1980s iteration of the New York Giants.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
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Trump has taken this tradition to its logical extreme by exempting from legal consequences his supporters and those following his instructions—seeming to assert his supremacy over not just federal but state laws, which exceeds even the wide powers conferred by the Constitution.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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When external pressure intensifies—political, economic, or social—institutions often respond by narrowing their field of vision and toeing the line seems like the most reasonable course of action.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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But Bloom’s legacy has had the unfortunate effect of making even more reasonable canon defenses look reactionary.—
Colton Valentine,
New Yorker,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Each issue curates essays, interviews, frameworks, and visual explainers that add up to a coherent exploration of a topic that matters.—
Daphne Koller,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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This is where disparate clips, resolutions, and sound sources are unified into a coherent narrative.—
Paul Ratner,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The ledger is the foundation of reasoned conclusion.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
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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All aspects of the creative process are valid, so let joy lead the way.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
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As is often the case with large class-action settlements, payouts are ultimately based on how many people file valid claims.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Savvy therapists are leveraging AI in sensible and vital ways.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Villa’s second goal came from a sensible decision by Morgan Rogers after an attacking corner was cleared.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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