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
In a rational country, the nation's pockets would be weighed down with them no longer.
—
Felix Salmon, Axios, 2 Feb. 2025
To clarify, the blinking red on a stock or finance app is definitely not designed with the mindset: ok this will make investors rational, and long-term focused.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
However, people with serious mental illness aren’t making rational decisions, which is part of their sickness.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rational 
Felix Salmon, Axios, 2 Feb. 2025
To clarify, the blinking red on a stock or finance app is definitely not designed with the mindset: ok this will make investors rational, and long-term focused.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
To Danes and pretty much anyone else who makes plans, signs treaties, or creates long-term strategies using rational arguments, this way of making policy feels arbitrary, pointless, even surreal.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2025
However, people with serious mental illness aren’t making rational decisions, which is part of their sickness.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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Chahine is clearly an intelligent person, and his experience in finance has obviously helped him during this esports journey, making decisions that traditional esports execs may not have made.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
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At once personal yet scientific, richly informative and beautifully written, The Genius of Birds celebrates the triumphs of these surprising and fiercely intelligent creatures.—
Kevin Spencer,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Amorim is not likely to be afforded those in abundance at a club of United’s stature, even if trusting the process is the only logical way to succeed.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
7 Feb. 2025
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The Treasury Department would be the next most logical agency to administer student debt, Mayotte said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Time based: Set a reasonable time frame to reduce alcohol consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
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After a reasonable time, drain the water — not into a city sewer or drainage area — and dispose of the soaked fireworks debris in a plastic garbage bag.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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And no one offered a coherent explanation for why the cap is 15%.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
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Both pilots were pulled from the water and were coherent, according to Viets.—
Alexandra Koch,
Fox News,
13 Feb. 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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There are stories behind every regular-season game that might not be valid come March Madness.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
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So, for people like me, whose nerves don't get calmed by facts and numbers, just know, your feelings are valid.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But the relationship leads to serious conversations about the most sensible outcome of all: a bicoastal merger of the conferences.—
Jon Wilner,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
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Martin and county transit leaders say the project makes far smarter and financially sensible use of the bus station’s existing 12 acres of surface parking and the second, 33-acre piece of former farmland, which the county transit agency also owns.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near rational
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
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