rationale
Why you decided
A rationale is the underlying reason or logical basis for something—a decision, action, or belief.
It explains not just what was done but why: The committee asked her to explain the rationale behind her proposal.
A rationale justifies; it makes the reasoning explicit and available for examination.
Protection against harm
- vindicationClearance of blame
- explanationStatement making something clear
- warrantFormal authorization document
- groundsBasis for justification
substantiation · validation · legitimization · excuse · apology · plea · mitigation · extenuation
Making meaning plain
- elucidationAct of explaining clearly
- explicationDetailed interpretive analysis
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- accountRecord of dealings
exposition · reasoning · basis · grounds · logic · thinking · statement · articulation
Underlying support structure
- groundsBasis for justification
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- principleFundamental truth or standard
- underpinningFoundational support beneath
cornerstone · framework · assumption · presupposition · criterion · standard · guideline · tenet
Impetus toward a goal
impulse · incentive · inspiration · stimulus · goal · objective · impetus · cause
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- thinkingMental reasoning process
judgment · thought · synthesis · discernment · deliberation · argumentation · syllogism · induction
defense
Protection against harm
- vindicationClearance of blame
- explanationStatement making something clear
- warrantFormal authorization document
grounds · substantiation · validation · legitimization · excuse · apology · plea · mitigation · extenuation · pretext
clarification
Making meaning plain
- elucidationAct of explaining clearly
- explicationDetailed interpretive analysis
- interpretationAssigned meaning
account · exposition · reasoning · basis · grounds · logic · thinking · statement · articulation · outline
foundation
Underlying support structure
- groundsBasis for justification
- premiseFoundation for logical argument
- principleFundamental truth or standard
underpinning · cornerstone · framework · assumption · presupposition · criterion · standard · guideline · tenet · axiom
motivation
Impetus toward a goal
drive · impulse · incentive · inspiration · stimulus · goal · objective · impetus · cause · basis
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
thinking · judgment · thought · synthesis · discernment · deliberation · argumentation · syllogism · induction · coherence
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
- explanationswhy, how come, explication, what happened, definition
- reasoningreasoning, logic, inference, deductive, analysis
- responsesresponse, answering, answer, reply, replying
- justificationsjustification, excuse, explanation, grounds, basis
- motivesintent, motive, intention, purpose, goal
rationaleimpulse
Sudden urge to act
irrationality · whim · caprice · gut feeling · instinct
rationalemystery
Something unexplained or unknown
inexplicability · bewilderment · confusion · incomprehensibility · enigma
- rational thoughtLogic-based mental process
- rational mind
- rational thinkingLogic-based mental process
- rational beingsEntities possessing logical thought
- rational numberFraction with integer parts
- rational discourseLogic-based exchange of views
rational, irrational, rationally, rationality, rationalize, rationalism, irrationally, irrationality, rationalist