rational decision

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   A choice made by thinking carefully about facts and likely results, not by emotion or impulse.

   Grammar: Countable: make a rational decision; rational decisions.

   Patterns

   • a rational decision about something
   • a rational decision to do something

   Selling the old car was a rational decision, since repairs cost too much.

   She weighed the facts and made a rational decision about the job offer.

   It is hard to make a rational decision when you are angry.

Word forms

Common combinations

make a rational decision

Try to make a rational decision, not a rushed one.

a perfectly rational decision

Leaving early was a perfectly rational decision.

rational decision-making

Rational decision-making relies on good data.

reach a rational decision

The committee reached a rational decision after review.

economically rational decision

It was an economically rational decision to invest.

Synonyms and how they differ

sensible decision

Sensible decision is more everyday and relies on common sense, while rational decision stresses logical reasoning.

logical decision

Logical decision stresses following a clear chain of reasoning, while rational also suggests weighing evidence.

reasoned decision

Reasoned decision often points to a decision explained with reasons, usually in formal or legal writing.

Opposites

Word family

rational adjective

based on reason

rationally adverb

in a reasonable way

rationality noun

the quality of being reasonable

rationalize verb

to explain or justify with logic

Commonly confused: rational decision or rationale?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rational decision”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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