rationales

plural of rationale
as in explanations
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

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 rationales Well, the English language market is certainly growing, and that was also one of the rationales of the merger deal between All3Media and Banijay. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 The claims paying organizations that are best prepared to navigate this evolving environment will be those that combine uniform eligibility review, defensible payment rationales, dispute tracking and outcome analysis into a single cohesive process. — Christine Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 His attorneys claim that, when searching for Murkerson’s vehicle, sheriff’s deputies entered nonsense rationales. — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 While there are plenty of rationales, CBS News will have to be patient and hope that viewers will sample the program, which largely had the same look as last year despite Weiss’ changes. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026 For Mary Kay, the latter of these rationales seems to have been clothed in the guise of the former, though the precise catalyst for establishing her own outfit remains indeterminate. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 State legislators have various rationales for getting involved in national security policy. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationales
Noun
  • These symptoms can have harmless explanations, and Midnight Mimosa may operate without obvious warning signs.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The students presented their research at a free public forum Wednesday night, where community members could hear their explanations and ask questions.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Experts studying fear have theorized that one of the major reasons people are flocking to horror experiences lately — whether theme parks, novels or movies — is that the world feels so uncertain.
    — Ayesha Rascoe, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • But the offensive line has turned out to be TCU’s biggest weakness this season and one of the primary reasons the program sits at 3-4 (1-3 Big 12).
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Theoretical arguments suggest that a substantial part, if not all, of the randomness in the world is of quantum origin.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Lincoln lost that year, but the country benefited from their arguments over the legality and morality of slavery.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rationales.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationales. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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