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View synonyms for irrational

irrational

[ ih-rash-uh-nl, -rash-nl ]

adjective

  1. without the faculty of reason; deprived of reason.
  2. without or deprived of normal mental clarity or sound judgment.
  3. not in accordance with reason; utterly illogical:

    irrational arguments.

    Synonyms: insensate, ridiculous, unreasonable

  4. not endowed with the faculty of reason:

    irrational animals.

  5. Mathematics.
    1. (of a number) not capable of being expressed exactly as a ratio of two integers.
    2. (of a function) not capable of being expressed exactly as a ratio of two polynomials.
  6. Algebra. (of an equation) having an unknown under a radical sign or, alternately, with a fractional exponent.
  7. Greek and Latin Prosody.
    1. of or relating to a substitution in the normal metrical pattern, especially a long syllable for a short one.
    2. noting a foot or meter containing such a substitution.


noun

irrational

/ ɪˈræʃənəl /

adjective

  1. inconsistent with reason or logic; illogical; absurd
  2. incapable of reasoning
  3. maths
    1. not rational
    2. ( as noun )

      an irrational

  4. prosody in Greek or Latin verse
    1. of or relating to a metrical irregularity, usually the occurrence of a long syllable instead of a short one
    2. denoting a metrical foot where such an irregularity occurs
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • irˈrationalness, noun
  • irˈrationally, adverb
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Other Words From

  • ir·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
  • ir·ra·tion·al·ness noun
  • non·ir·ra·tion·al adjective noun
  • non·ir·ra·tion·al·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of irrational1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin irratiōnālis; ir- 2( def ), rational ( def )
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Example Sentences

You have to strike a balance where you’re not telling people that what they’re saying is irrational, silly, crazy.

It’s possible that today’s market is an indication of things to come, where fundamentals play a larger part in valuations, as opposed to the irrational exuberance that has persisted in recent months within tech.

From Fortune

John Coates, a Wall Street trader turned neuroscientist, considers the molecule of “irrational exuberance” in The Hour Between Dog and Wolf.

From Quartz

Primarily, this problem is a byproduct of “irrational exuberance” in the early 2000s and the use of public sector banks by successive governments to propel the economy.

From Quartz

Only a few months ago, this type of behavior would have been considered excessive, irrational, even pathological, and certainly not healthy.

The Samaritan guidelines are written around the assumption that suicide is a purely irrational act, an act spurred by illness.

The fact that the virus is still alive has sustained many safety concerns, both rational and irrational, about its use.

The writing team behind these videos are some seriously mad comedy crackheads, and they manage some brilliantly irrational bits.

Farah, of course, is not alone in holding this acrobatically irrational view.

To a certain degree, there is an irrational sense of betrayal.

He was, I knew, a deep, thinly-covered tank of resentments and quite irrational moral rages.

Suddenly my irrational complaint was silenced as certain words of Saint Paul to the Corinthians reverberated in my mind.

Animals, irrational animals, had told the secret, and birds of the air had carried the matter.

It seemed to me that he was foolish and irrational, altogether unlike himself.

It is an irrational practice, even when adopted by military tribunals.

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