Synonyms of rational

rational

adjective

ˈrash-nəl 

1

as in intelligent

having the ability to reason

human beings are rational creatures

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intelligent
• reasoning
• reasonable
• thinking
• logical
• analytical
• mental
• analytic
• intellectual
• practical
• cognitive
• cerebral
• sensible
• sane
• brainy
• cognitional
• highbrow
• levelheaded
• highbrowed
• sober

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irrational
• unreasonable
• nonrational
• unthinking
• unintelligent
• unreasoning
• stupid
• dense
• slow
• dumb
• mindless
• senseless
• dull
• fatuous
• obtuse
• nonthinking
• brainless
• illogical
• dopey
• nonsensical
• dorky
• groundless
• fallacious
• invalid
• doltish
• thickheaded
• dopy
• half-witted

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

• logical
• coherent
• reasonable
• valid
• sensible
• analytical
• good
• analytic
• empirical
• sound
• justifiable
• consequent
• well-grounded
• empiric
• well-founded
• cognitive
• defensible
• syllogistic
• sustainable
• a priori
• supportable
• tenable
• maintainable
• a posteriori
• defendable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irrational
• unreasonable
• illogical
• weak
• incoherent
• unsound
• illegitimate
• misleading
• invalid
• inconsequential
• specious
• sophistical
• sophistic
• fallacious
• casuistical
• casuistic
• unscientific
• inconsequent
• stupid
• absurd
• unarticulated
• insane
• mad
• nonsensical
• crazy
• preposterous
• eristic
• fatuous
• nutty
• loony
• thoughtless
• eristical
• witless
• senseless
• simpleminded
• harebrained
• daffy
• cockeyed
• unconvincing
• looney
• weak-minded
• half-baked
• half-witted
• uncompelling

3

as in reasonable

based on sound reasoning or information

betting all of your savings on the lottery is not a rational move

Synonyms & Similar Words

• logical
• reasonable
• reasoned
• sensible
• valid
• good
• justified
• solid
• hard
• true
• commonsense
• informed
• sober
• plausible
• well-founded
• commonsensical
• levelheaded
• firm
• credible
• just
• real
• actual
• validated
• commonsensible
• convincing
• certain
• sure
• substantiated
• cogent
• certified
• confirmed
• colorable
• verified
• corroborated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• irrational
• unreasonable
• illogical
• nonrational
• unsound
• nonsensical
• uninformed
• unfounded
• unjustified
• groundless
• invalid
• unwarranted
• unsupported
• unsubstantiated
• unreasoned
• weak
• implausible
• flimsy
• unconvincing
• false
• misguided
• nonvalid
• fallacious
• misled

Examples of rational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thinking clearly and making rational decisions in these moments is vital, and that begins with managing emotions. —Adam Coughran, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Why reach for the insulting explanation when a rational one will do? —Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2024

Social media speeds up the spread of market sentiment, contributing to volatility that undermines rational pricing. —Carrie McCabe, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

His reflexive tendency to extend Lindsay the benefit of the doubt seemed both credulous and entirely rational. —Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024