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rationale

rationale

79 6.0
A set of reasons that explains a decision or action
  • noun
  • /ˌræʃəˈnæl/
translation icon : justificación
  • The teacher explained the rationale behind her decision to change the grading policy.
  • provide a rationale
  • give a rationale
  • understand the rationale

And what is the rationale for the nappuccino?

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Examples

  • There is, for the time being, no business rationale for deciding on future sites.

  • Engaging minority organizations in communication about the rationale for priority groups could enhance understanding and prevent mistrust.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Have you heard any rationale being given for it?

  • So there is like a rationale behind why this is the case.

  • One is that the rationale for Trump just took a big hit.

  • We felt that if we were asking for help... ...our rationale needs to be very clear.

  • Now the rationale for going through that math is the following.

  • Every country can use self defense as a rationale for acquiring nuclear weapons.

  • For decades, this threat has provided the main rationale for Japan's alliance with the United States.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The assumption follows from assuming that all students understand the rationale behind information literacy practices.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

reason
vsrationale
1.0

A cause or explanation for something that happened

groups several such causes into an overall logical basis for a choice
argument
vsrationale
2.5

A set of reasons people give to show something is true

is less about persuasion and more about the logical basis for a choice
explanation
vsrationale
1.0

A statement that makes something clear or helps someone understand

is specifically the set of reasons forming the logical basis for action
logic
vsrationale
375 3.8

A set of reasons that explains why something was done or said

is the particular set of reasons applied as a logical basis, not the whole system
grounds
vsrationale
266 3.2

Reasons that justify a decision or action

is an organized set of reasons forming a logical basis for action or belief
justification
vsrationale
156 4.0

A reason or explanation that shows an action is acceptable

focuses on the full set of reasons as a logical basis, not only rightness
account
vsrationale
149 4.7

A reason that explains why something happens

collects such considerations into a coherent logical basis rather than one reason
line of reasoning
vsrationale
8 4.2

A set of connected reasons that lead to a conclusion

is the broader set of reasons behind a decision, not only the step sequence

How Convincing

proof
2.5
justification
156 4.0
rationale
79 6.0
reason
1.0
explanation
1.0

Surface Forms

rationale singular
rationales plural

Morphology

rationale = rational (semi-transparent) = rational + e

The noun is recognizably related to the adjective 'rational', but the final '-e' is a borrowed/non‑productive ending and the meaning shifts to 'set of reasons' rather than simply 'being rational'.

Etymology

The word rationale comes from a Latin word ratio, which means 'reason' or 'calculation', and you can see the same root in rational and ratio. So a rationale is the set of reasons that explains a choice or idea.