as in explanation
a statement given to explain a belief or act
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rationale
Right now, Trump and Congress could whack Medicaid and give Newsom a solid rationale for cutting way back on health care for undocumented Californians.
—
George Skelton, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Here’s more from Harris and manager A.J. Hinch on the rationale behind their last-minute decisions:
Can Kreidler hold down center field?
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
In other cases, the Trump administration hasn’t clarified its rationale for detaining someone.
—Nicole Narea, Vox, 27 Mar. 2025
The rationale for the new positions needs to be made clear so that the board can effectively engage with the executive team.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
George Skelton, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025
Here’s more from Harris and manager A.J. Hinch on the rationale behind their last-minute decisions:
Can Kreidler hold down center field?
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
In other cases, the Trump administration hasn’t clarified its rationale for detaining someone.
—Nicole Narea, Vox, 27 Mar. 2025
The rationale for the new positions needs to be made clear so that the board can effectively engage with the executive team.
—Michael Peregrine, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
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These free, printable cards are available at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and display a brief explanation of citizen and non-citizen rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This relationship focus is another reason why some financial institutions may not be tempted by the pools of CRE loans on the market.—
Sam Sidhu,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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There’s a reason why countless stars are spotted in matching sets.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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No argument, but the Toronto Bridesmaids — er, Blue Jays — didn’t have much of a choice with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The loss of Guerrero — a native Canadian, homegrown talent and franchise pillar — would have devastated the Jays.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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The argument challenges a precedent set in the 1930s in a case called Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which stopped President Franklin D. Roosevelt from firing someone on the Federal Trade Commission who had similar job protections to Wilcox and Harris.—
Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY and Jonathan Stempel and Daniel Wiessner, Reuters,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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