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

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 • Nov. 19, 2025

That is the only way that rationally, the rest of the world can regard this president.

From Slate • Nov. 3, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 10, 2025

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 • Oct. 9, 2025

You could go around implying you’d read all kinds of things, nodding knowingly when someone mentioned, say, War and Peace, and the understanding was that no one would scrutinise your claim too rationally.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• intelligently
• judiciously
• logically
• reasonably
• wisely