rationally

American  

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

adverb

1. 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

"I can rationally understand that I'm in no way to blame, but you feel guilty that my father could do this to someone, and of course, he was unrepentant," she said.

From BBC

Reducing disclosures, and thus transparency, results in less data, which then reduces investors’ ability to make decisions and price assets rationally.

From Barron's

At the same time, I found it hard to reconcile the idea that parents rationally invest in their children’s futures with my own upbringing.

From The Wall Street Journal

And he would talk his sons through conflicts patiently and rationally, “through all sides of what was happening,” Ryan said.

From Los Angeles Times

I have an angry fire inside of me and every time I want to speak with him rationally, I just get so mad, and I withdraw.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• intelligently
• judiciously
• logically
• reasonably
• wisely