1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
The paradox arises from a seemingly innocent line of rational thinking that leads to an incorrect conclusion.
—
ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
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Estate planning allows people to make rational decisions about their assets, free from the iron grip of bloodline expectations.
—Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Some people may be disappointed by the rational explanation for this spiral light in the night sky.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Financial behaviors like spending and saving are not solely based on rational decisions.
—Brian Lasher, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Estate planning allows people to make rational decisions about their assets, free from the iron grip of bloodline expectations.
—Ashley Case, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Some people may be disappointed by the rational explanation for this spiral light in the night sky.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Financial behaviors like spending and saving are not solely based on rational decisions.
—Brian Lasher, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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Untangling a relationship with SpaceX Some of the most intelligent questions came from US Sen. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2025
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An intelligent and foresighted administration should be investing in the industries of the future that can be exported to the rest of the world, just as Joe Biden’s administration did by incentivizing solar technology.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This cannot be explained only by logical arguments or dry legal language.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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To the objective eye, the return of David Moyes as Everton manager was not a logical move.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Netanyahu was told to be reasonable on Turkey Since the fall of the Assad dynasty in Syria late last year, Israel and Turkey have been competing in the country over their separate interests there.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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Given that this decline coincided with the large-scale movement of the US Commercial fishing fleet into those waters, the idea that overfishing might have something to do with it seemed a reasonable hypothesis.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What’s worse, the White House has failed to mount a coherent campaign to explain the stakes to the American people.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Isolationism as a Slur In the postwar era, isolationism devolved from a coherent strategic perspective into a term of political derision.—
Andrew Latham,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 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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Many point out that while his concerns about academics and responsibilities are valid, his approach was heavy-handed and unfair — especially toward the girlfriend.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Only tickets originally purchased to games Saturday and Sunday will be valid for this weekend’s games.—
Matt Jones,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wear sensible shoes to explore Kathleen Ferguson’s urban flower farm built on a slope.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2025
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This seemed entirely sensible at this strange, disconnected time.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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