rationale

[ rash-uh-nal ]

noun

1. the fundamental reason or reasons serving to account for something.

   Synonyms: ground, basis, logic

2. a statement of reasons.
3. a reasoned exposition of principles.

rationale

/ ˌræʃəˈnɑːl /

noun

1. a reasoned exposition, esp one defining the fundamental reasons for a course of action, belief, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of rationale¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin: neuter of ratiōnālis rational

Word History and Origins

Origin of rationale¹

C17: from New Latin, from Latin ratiōnālis

Example Sentences

In a perspective piece published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Peterson lays out the rationale behind this paradigm shift.

From Science Daily

Whatever the putative rationale, there are only two ways to extract even $10 billion in savings from Medicaid: Strip benefits from the program, or throw enrollees out.

From Los Angeles Times

This time there's no national security pretense or a rationale that people are betraying the country.

From Salon

It was an environmental appeal he crafted not just in earnest — which he certainly was — but also because he thought it was one of the strongest rationales that the United States should remain predominantly white.

From Salon

Wade' until he belatedly realized it wasn't popular, at which point he came up with his fatuous rationale that "everyone wanted it to go back to the states."

From Salon

Related Words

• excuse
• explanation
• hypothesis
• justification
• motivation
• motive
• philosophy
• principle
• rationalization
• reason
• theory