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
Knowledge is not understood as the product of an objective and rational analysis of reality, but as the result of an intersubjective negotiation process.
—
Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
No rational argument could convince them otherwise.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Brooks encouraged students to apply three rational lenses when deciding whether to get married, considering their psychological, emotional, and moral compatibility.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
In comments carried by Iran’s official state news agency IRNA this morning, Pezeshkian said all rational and diplomatic channels must be used to reduce tensions while maintaining firmness against threats.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Florian Wintterlin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
No rational argument could convince them otherwise.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
Brooks encouraged students to apply three rational lenses when deciding whether to get married, considering their psychological, emotional, and moral compatibility.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
In comments carried by Iran’s official state news agency IRNA this morning, Pezeshkian said all rational and diplomatic channels must be used to reduce tensions while maintaining firmness against threats.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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Cold, calculating and highly intelligent, Dedra saw the rebellion coming when none of her other peers did.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
Here, intelligent driving features are ubiquitous, even in affordable models.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Thus, if here is any short-term rotation out of technology after its historic rally, financials could become a logical area for investors to revisit.—
Frank Cappelleri,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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Each one takes just as much computing work as the last one, regardless of whether the token is just a filler word in an output or a key piece of information in a complex logical problem.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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And that is actually a reasonable price for those books.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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Bowman noted the authority is guided by state law and case law in its decisions and deciding what is just and reasonable by a preponderance of evidence.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Organizing that chaos into a coherent blockbuster format is a key part of the assignment here.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
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What is new, and what may have been the draw for those just tuning in, is a sense the race is finally taking a coherent shape, with Xavier Becerra unexpectedly emerging as the candidate to beat.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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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
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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In California, the Los Angeles County Counsel is probing allegations that State Farm delayed, underpaid and denied valid insurance claims from last year's wildfires.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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Twin Metals filed a federal lawsuit seeking a declaration that the leases are still valid but a judge threw the case out in 2023.—
Todd Richmond,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Their mother is obsessed with marrying all the girls off, but has seemingly decided that bookish, sensible Mary isn’t worth the energy.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
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Our self-interest has usually been of the sensible sort.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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