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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rationale
Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress, like Sen. Chuck Grassley, have demanded that the administration provide a rationale, arguing that federal law requires a justification.
—
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2025
The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences.
—Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
In the memo sent to prosecutors in Manhattan, Emil Bove, the Justice Department’s acting No. 2 official, cited Mr. Trump’s immigration enforcement as part of the rationale for dropping the charges against the mayor.
—Dana Rubinstein, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025
But the fundamental rationale for the Pax was always sound.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2025
The rationale for some kind of second look, or reconsideration of decades of draconian sentencing, is also compelled by the stark racial disparities that are manifest in life and long-term sentences, disparities that increase with longer sentences.
—Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025
In the memo sent to prosecutors in Manhattan, Emil Bove, the Justice Department’s acting No. 2 official, cited Mr. Trump’s immigration enforcement as part of the rationale for dropping the charges against the mayor.
—Dana Rubinstein, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2025
But the fundamental rationale for the Pax was always sound.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationale
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationale
Noun
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Though multiple explanations for the defendants’ actions were offered at the trial, nothing quite fit.—
Katie Ebner-Landy,
The New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2025
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Given these findings, wind emerged as the most plausible explanation for how the virus traveled between the farms.—
John Drake,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For that reason, Richardson usually doesn't agree to sit down for other productions.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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This is perhaps part of the reason for the new naming.—
David Phelan,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The argument against keeping Dalton The Panthers are projected to have roughly $20 million in salary cap space this offseason, according to Over The Cap.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Feb. 2025
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The resulting argument doesn’t end well for Marcus.—
Frank Scheck,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationale.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationale. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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