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
The production is somewhat hampered by Anthony Tran’s cumbersome costumes and Chin’s grimly rational scenic design.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
The war in Ukraine is central to Putin’s legitimacy, leaving him no rational incentive to end it voluntarily.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
But business with China won’t be rational again until the trade war ends.
—Crista V. Worthy, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
But the reversals don’t appear to be rational, let alone part of any plan.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
The war in Ukraine is central to Putin’s legitimacy, leaving him no rational incentive to end it voluntarily.
—Andrei Yakovlev, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
But business with China won’t be rational again until the trade war ends.
—Crista V. Worthy, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
But the reversals don’t appear to be rational, let alone part of any plan.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rational
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rational
Adjective
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By freeing physicians from the need to be behind their computers during appointments, these intelligent assistants enable a more personal and engaging interaction with patients.—
Rakhee Langer,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Designing the Future of AI Artificial intelligence is powering a new generation of tools that combine logic with intelligent action.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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But there’s little logical argument for keeping him on.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
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This is a logical form of thinking in the sense that AGI as an intellectual mechanism would be unable to compete in jobs that involve hands-on work.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Under coach Manolo González, Espanyol has just placed a reasonable 14th in La Liga.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Like when Jesse makes the perfectly reasonable decision not to mount a doomed attempt to save a cultist when they're outnumbered by WLF members.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Create a coherent narrative showing your evolution.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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During generation, Veo 3 starts with random noise and a text prompt, then iteratively refines that noise into a coherent video that matches the description.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 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 | [email protected],
al,
22 Aug. 2019
Adjective
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Prior to Sunday's attack, Soliman was driving for Uber, which required him to have a valid Social Security number, CBS News has learned.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 June 2025
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On cross-examination, Ferguson confirmed that there were employees in the finance department who went through the corporate credit card statements to determine which charges were valid business expenses and which were personal expenses.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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That never was a sensible move for fiscal and other reasons.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
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If only Larry Hogan had been prescient enough to choose a successor who would have continued his sensible moderate policies under eight more years of Republican rule.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rational.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rational. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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