rationalenoun [ C or U ]
uk/ˌræʃ.əˈnɑːl/us/ˌræʃ.əˈnæl/formalthe reasons or intentions that cause a particular set of beliefs or actions:
I don't understand the rationale for these restrictions.
He tried to explain the scientific rationale behind his work.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Motives and reasons
- cause 1
- drive
- first principles
- ground
- hidden agenda
- impulse
- in the name of sth idiom
- inclination
- justification
- mainspring
- motivation
- motive
- name
- object
- peg
- reason
- should
- wherefores
- why