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rationally

rationally

56 3.9
In a clear, reasonable way based on facts
  • adverb
  • /ˈræʃənəli/
translation icon : racionalmente
  • She approached the problem rationally, considering all available evidence before making a decision.
  • think rationally
  • choose rationally
  • act rationally

It's about living rationally, not just being rational.

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Examples

  • So in that sense, decision making was secular and rationally informed.

  • Those of you who want to discuss this thing rationally to find a means of rescue are welcome to join me.

  • I do understand rationally why people do that.

  • But what I should be doing, rationally speaking, is spending more money.

  • Because he could focus clearly and rationally on things, he knew what was important and what was not.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Please, just calm down, and we can talk about this rationally.

  • It's about living rationally, not just being rational.

  • Now that he was free of Robert, he could listen to the other man rationally, without anger.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • It is so refreshing to have somebody approach education so rationally.

  • The magazine content reinforces the position that most women will reasonably and rationally choose reconstruction.

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

reasonably
vsrationally
72 2.4

In a sensible way that shows good judgment

leans more on structured facts and clear thinking rather than general judgment
logically
vsrationally
70 3.7

You think clearly and sensibly to reach a reasonable answer

is based on facts and general wise thinking rather than strict rule steps
objectively
vsrationally
61 4.5

To consider facts without personal feelings or opinions

stresses careful analysis and factual backing beyond mere lack of bias
sensibly
vsrationally
15 3.7

In a way that shows good judgment and practical choices

relies more on explicit facts and stepwise thinking than everyday sense
pragmatically
vsrationally
5 5.4

In a practical way that focuses on what works

prefers explanations based on facts and careful thinking rather than only usefulness
dispassionately
vsrationally
  • Formal
5 6.7

In a calm, fair way without strong feeling or bias

relies more on structured reasoning and factual evidence than calmness alone
sanely
vsrationally
1 4.1

In a calm, sensible way while thinking clearly

focuses on evidence based thinking rather than just mental steadiness

Antonyms

15 4.6

In a way that does not use clear thinking

How Logical

logically
70 3.7
rationally
56 3.9
reasonably
72 2.4
unreasonably
11 4.1
illogically
1 6.8

Surface Forms

rationally positive

Morphology

rationally = rational (transparent) = rational + ly

Formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'rational', yielding an adverb with an expected meaning.

Etymology

The word rationally comes from the Latin root ratio, which means 'reason' or 'calculation' and is like the English word ratio you meet in math. So, to act rationally is to use clear thinking and facts to decide.