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

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

"We got lucky the first time with YInMn blue, and now we are coming up with some fundamental chemical and crystal structural design principles to rationally create new pigments," he said.

From Science Daily

An expert for the state testified he believes Ryder is competent to sufficiently and rationally understand why he is being executed and that this execution is imminent.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• intelligently
• judiciously
• logically
• reasonably
• wisely