1
as in intelligent
having the ability to reason
human beings are rational creatures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rational
By the twentieth century, more rational explanations had caught up.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
But Ludwig says many violent crimes are impulsive, not rational.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025
Most people tend to assume that their knowledge and ideas are based on a rational, objective analysis of information.
—Anne Toomey, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2025
And so that is an incentive to not admit your ignorance and to build up all sorts of defenses and appeal to bogus authorities in order to remain convinced of your own rational capacities and your independence.
—Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
But Ludwig says many violent crimes are impulsive, not rational.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025
Most people tend to assume that their knowledge and ideas are based on a rational, objective analysis of information.
—Anne Toomey, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2025
And so that is an incentive to not admit your ignorance and to build up all sorts of defenses and appeal to bogus authorities in order to remain convinced of your own rational capacities and your independence.
—Sean Illing, Vox, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
-
Put differently, intelligent onboarding can enable financial service providers to reach thin-file and difficult-to-identify demographics while reducing dropout rates.—
James Bruni,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
What’s more, Asian elephants are highly social, highly intelligent, and endangered, raising intractable ethical obstacles to experimenting on them.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There is no length societies will not go to, no absurd logical leap people won’t take to recast our simple, human act of survival as something dirty and shameful.—
Amanda Nguyen,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
-
As Lucas puts together his staff, Moran is a logical choice.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
With a reasonable $3.5 million cap hit for another two years, this is the kind of reclamation project the Penguins should be investing in.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Former Senate President Wilton Simpson led the charge to oust Public Counsel J.R. Kelly, who argued for reasonable rates on behalf of consumers and blocked FPL from charging for a natural gas fracking project in Oklahoma.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But Trump has continued to claim that the network was trying to influence the election by making Harris sound more coherent, even though both of her answers were in the public realm.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The park is designed to intensify the use of the area for the local and wider Taichung community, while promoting a more coherent city infrastructure.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college.—
Keith BieryGolick,
Cincinnati.com,
28 Aug. 2019
-
Credit Gus Malzahn for being proactive and thinking long-term in choosing his starting quarterback.—
Creg Stephenson | [email protected],
al,
22 Aug. 2019
Adjective
-
Adopt a zero-tolerance approach: Document every incident thoroughly with legal experts and witnesses, distinguishing valid concerns from smear campaigns, false claims or prejudice.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
However, some argue that prosecutors regularly drop cases for legal reasons and that the Justice Department may have had valid grounds for doing so.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Until recently, the U.S. banking system has been strong because of sensible bank regulations implemented during the Obama and Biden administrations.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
His character was one of the more sensible and sympathetic employees at the paper company, which was almost exclusively populated by unpleasant oddballs.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share