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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rationale
Her rationale is that because she’s borrowed over $20,000 to pay for her wedding, her more financially fortunate guests should help those struggling in the areas of gifts, transportation, hotel costs, childcare, elder care, etc.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
The hypothesis and the rationale can change, but the results haven’t.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Security concerns The rationale behind the new restrictions is linked to significant security concerns.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
The future of the captive sector is shaped not only by financial rationale, but by broader economic impact.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
The hypothesis and the rationale can change, but the results haven’t.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Security concerns The rationale behind the new restrictions is linked to significant security concerns.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
The future of the captive sector is shaped not only by financial rationale, but by broader economic impact.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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Study co-author Benjamin Proudfoot, an astronomer at the University of Central Florida, also thinks that a newfound satellite is the most likely explanation.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The materialist, physiological explanation for the phenomenon of panic generates a bright contrast with the philosophical and metaphysical inquiries that have Nicholas, and Clune, in their grip.—
Scott Stossel,
The Atlantic,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In many cases, the two reasons amount to the same thing, with the same cause.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Through attorney Darren Heitner of Heitner Legal, Turner in the arbitration hearing made several arguments that he’s entitled to the 4% commission on the Clippers contract.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Rutte and Grynkewich described NATO’s eastern flank as the front line of defense, but dismissed arguments that the whole alliance wasn’t at risk of Russian aggression.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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