Synonyms

rationally

American

[rash-uh-nl-ee, rash-nl-] / ˈræʃ ə nl i, ˈræʃ nl- /

adverb

in a way that is agreeable to and supported by reason; sensibly or logically.

It’s a bit difficult to explain rationally to your teenager why they are being subjected to a drug test at home.
Right-brain thinking also includes intuition, which is not understood rationally but is nonetheless highly valued.

Other Word Forms

antirationally adverb
hyperrationally adverb
nonrationally adverb
overrationally adverb
quasi-rationally adverb
transrationally adverb
ultrarationally adverb
unrationally adverb

Etymology

Origin of rationally

rational ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A recent impromptu comment to a stranger I met in our local gym gave me eye-opening insights into how someone whose political views are very different from mine can rationally justify his opinions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

He is bitter and scared, and he has lost the ability to reason rationally, if he ever had that ability.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

She added, “To its credit, the Government does not defend President Trump’s derogatory statements. No one rationally could.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

Now, how is that rationally related to white-collar-crime reduction?

From Slate • Jan. 20, 2026

He took Mary Hudson aside, just out of earshot of the Comanches, and seemed to address her solemnly, rationally.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023