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- pronunciation:
- rae
sh
nl
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
sensible or reasoned.
Deciding to stay in during the ice storm was a rational choice.Fear of a spider known to be venomous is completely rational, but intense fear of harmless spiders is not.I know them to be rational people, capable of making sound and level-headed decisions.
- synonyms:
- sensible
- antonyms:
- absurd, arbitrary, fantastic, illogical, irrational, nonrational
- similar words:
- coherent, legitimate, levelheaded, logical, reasonable, reasoned, reasoning, sane, sound
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| definition 2: |
in control of one's senses or mental faculties; not insane, hysterical, or deluded.
He'd had too much to drink and was no longer rational.- synonyms:
- clearheaded, sane
- antonyms:
- deranged, insane, irrational, nonrational
- similar words:
- lucid, responsible, right, right-minded, sober, sound
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| definition 3: |
having intellect; capable of logical thought.
Humans are rational creatures.- antonyms:
- nonrational
- similar words:
- intellectual, intelligent, logical
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| definition 4: |
characteristically logical, or marked by the use of logic.
Becoming a lawyer requires a rational mind.They came to an answer through a rational discussion of the issues.She gave a strong, rational argument for her position.- antonyms:
- absurd, irrational, nonrational
- similar words:
- reasonable
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| related words: |
competent, discursive, hardheaded, mental, normal, sage, tenable |
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| derivations: |
rationally (adv.), rationalness (n.) |
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