nonrational
Not based logically
Nonrational describes what lies outside the domain of reason—not necessarily opposed to it, just not governed by it.
Emotions, intuitions, and aesthetic responses are nonrational: Her decision was nonrational but not irrational—she simply followed her gut.
The term is more neutral than irrational, which suggests faulty reasoning rather than reasoning's absence.
Contrary to valid reasoning
- unreasonableNot guided by reason
- absurdWildly illogical
- nonsensicalWithout coherent meaning
- incoherentLacking logical connection
fallacious · contradictory · paradoxical · unfounded · baseless · arbitrary · senseless · unsound
First in origin
- innateExisting since birth
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- visceralArising from deep instinct
- impulsiveActing without deliberation
involuntary · automatic · hardwired · biological · inborn · instinctual · unlearned · spontaneous
Not awake or aware
- dreamsInvoluntary sleep visions
- psycheTotal mental life
- idUnconscious instinctual drives
- subliminalBelow threshold of awareness
repression · archetype · latent · implicit · shadow self · suppressed · hidden · priming
Unproven inner sense
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- epiphanySudden profound insight
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
knowing · discernment · perception · inkling · presentiment · aha moment · pattern recognition · tacit knowledge
Trust without proof
- beliefTrust held as true
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- numinousSpiritually awesome, beyond ordinary
sacred · divine · revelation · mysticism · contemplation · meditation · enlightenment · satori
Emotional responses experienced internally
- passionIntense emotional drive
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
- empathySharing another's emotions
sympathy · sentiment · heartfelt · visceral response · attachment · desire · longing · devotion
illogical
Contrary to valid reasoning
- unreasonableNot guided by reason
- absurdWildly illogical
- nonsensicalWithout coherent meaning
incoherent · fallacious · contradictory · paradoxical · unfounded · baseless · arbitrary · senseless · unsound · specious
primal
First in origin
impulsive · involuntary · automatic · hardwired · biological · inborn · instinctual · unlearned · spontaneous · reactive
unconscious
Not awake or aware
subliminal · repression · archetype · latent · implicit · shadow self · suppressed · hidden · priming · defense mechanism
hunch
Unproven inner sense
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- epiphanySudden profound insight
revelation · knowing · discernment · perception · inkling · presentiment · aha moment · pattern recognition · tacit knowledge · implicit understanding
faith
Trust without proof
- beliefTrust held as true
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
numinous · sacred · divine · revelation · mysticism · contemplation · meditation · enlightenment · satori · gnosis
feelings
Emotional responses experienced internally
- passionIntense emotional drive
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- gut feelingInstinctive sense about something
empathy · sympathy · sentiment · heartfelt · visceral response · attachment · desire · longing · devotion · affection
nonrationalrational
Governed by logic
logical · reasoned · analytical · systematic · methodical
nonrationalreasonable
Showing sound judgment
sound · valid · well-founded · well-grounded · sensible
rational, irrational, rationale, rationality, rationalize, rationalism, irrationally, irrationality, rationalist