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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rational
President Donald Trump’s court challenge failed during his first term because his administration did not provide the U.S. Supreme Court with a rational government basis for terminating the program.
—
Darren Soto, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
The court's majority found that Tennessee's law is not subject to a heightened level of judicial review and satisfies the most deferential standard, known as rational basis.
—June 18, CBS News, 18 June 2025
The lowest level is known as rational basis review, and almost every law looked at that way is upheld.
—Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
The majority opinion held only that in this case, the Tennessee law is subject to rational basis review.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Darren Soto, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2025
The court's majority found that Tennessee's law is not subject to a heightened level of judicial review and satisfies the most deferential standard, known as rational basis.
—June 18, CBS News, 18 June 2025
The lowest level is known as rational basis review, and almost every law looked at that way is upheld.
—Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
The majority opinion held only that in this case, the Tennessee law is subject to rational basis review.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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This demographic is intelligent, tech-savvy and often more financially empowered than younger consumers.—
Lara Devgan,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Maresca would be sensible to look at the way Brighton utilise their wingers with intelligent out-to-in runs from the touchline, exploiting spaces in behind when the likes of Joao Pedro pull opposition defensive lines out of shape.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Greater Robustness And Reliability: Better equipped to handle out-of-distribution data and novel scenarios safely and reliably by incorporating safety parameters, constraints and logical invariants.—
Anuradha Weeraman,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Taking this approach minimizes the frustration of figuring out where to store something and ensures everything has a logical place in your home.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
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Seeing penalty abatement for reasonable cause can also be time-consuming and expensive so preventing the misclassification is a better course of action.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Just this week, the alliance released its first ever Commercial Space Strategy, stressing three goals – leveraging commercial solutions, ensuring continuous access during peace, crisis or conflict and bolstering coherent relationships with the commercial sector.—
Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
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This keeps every post, pitch and DM coherent, letting a solo founder ship consistently instead of chasing shiny tactics every other week.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.—
Keith BieryGolick,
Cincinnati.com,
28 Aug. 2019
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Credit Gus Malzahn for being proactive and thinking long-term in choosing his starting quarterback.—
Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com,
al,
22 Aug. 2019
Adjective
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While the prenup is valid anywhere, another insider confirmed to Page Six that the divorce can only happen in Florida, which is Bezos and Sanchez’s state of primary residence.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
27 June 2025
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The Trump Accounts And Latinos To qualify, a child must be a U.S. citizen and have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful resident with a valid Social Security number who pays taxes.—
Noreen Sugrue,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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For Brembo, this is much more than product placement and it’s integrated in a way that’s organically sensible.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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If traditional sandwiches were greasy and chaotic, the province of children and cartoon slobs, wraps were tidy and sensible, the province of working women with slim hips and pin-straight hair.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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