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
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Recent Examples of rationale
On Wednesday, investors seem to have seized on one line in particular in ServiceNow’s earnings release as a rationale for continuing to dump the stock.
—
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The rationale for the moon-base mission is clearer than ever now that scientists have confirmed the existence of water, helium-3 and potentially other valuable minerals since the Apollo missions.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
The piece has not provided a rationale that answers these questions.
—Charles F. Miller, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
To learn more about the rationale behind the union’s unusually drama-free negotiation in the meantime, read THR’s interview with Sanchez-Witzel, Mulroney and WGA East president Tom Fontana below.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The rationale for the moon-base mission is clearer than ever now that scientists have confirmed the existence of water, helium-3 and potentially other valuable minerals since the Apollo missions.
—Thomas Black, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
The piece has not provided a rationale that answers these questions.
—Charles F. Miller, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
To learn more about the rationale behind the union’s unusually drama-free negotiation in the meantime, read THR’s interview with Sanchez-Witzel, Mulroney and WGA East president Tom Fontana below.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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The Orioles backdrop behind the two men responsible for attempting to deliver an explanation for Saturday night’s seismic firing of Alex Cora and five coaches would have been funny if the situation hadn’t been so dire.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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If Pat Riley opens that door or leaves that door open, deferring to Nick Arison on answers on Monday, then yes, further explanation would seem reasonable from the executive branch.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The assassination attempt failed — and Hinckley was arrested, tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1982.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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McCollum’s line was one of the biggest reasons the game never got complicated.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The defendant got into some sort of argument with Velasquez, who was sitting on a stool outside the store, before the deadly conflict.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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As the argument continued, Alexander and his 62-year-old father, in turn, urinated on his neighbor’s yard in apparent retaliation for the dog’s actions, prosecutors say.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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