rationally

[ rash-uh-nl-ee, rash-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 Words From

• an·ti·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• hy·per·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• non·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• o·ver·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• qua·si-ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• trans·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• ul·tra·ra·tion·al·ly adverb
• un·ra·tion·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rationally¹

rational ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Many of these races have been so close for so long that they are rationally worried that it will fall the wrong way.

From Salon

Harris’ campaign has concluded, rationally, that reaching the White House requires catering to persuadable white voters in these states.

From Slate

Or the time you’re blubbering about a breakup and your Virgo friend calmly and rationally reminds you that your ex’s finances were hardly in a state of IRS compliance worthy of long-term partnership, and by the way, it was egregiously apparent that they never flossed?

From Los Angeles Times

Prinzhorn suggested that audiences responded to Hitler’s rhetorical devices — volume, rhythm, modulation, repetition — emotionally rather than rationally, which rendered him impervious to attack by political opponents.

From Salon

"Building on our results, we discovered how to rationally design the reaction conditions," explains Medina.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• intelligently
• judiciously
• logically
• reasonably
• wisely