antirationalistic
|an-ti-ra-tion-al-is-tic|
/ˌæn.tiˌræʃəˈnɪs.tɪk/
against reason
Etymology
'antirationalistic' originates from the Greek prefix 'anti-' (through New Latin/English use) and the English formation 'rationalistic', where 'anti-' meant 'against' and the element 'rational-' comes from Latin 'rationalis' meaning 'pertaining to reason'.
'antirationalistic' was formed in modern English by attaching 'anti-' to 'rationalistic'. 'Rationalistic' itself derives from 'rational' (from Latin 'rationalis', from 'ratio' meaning 'reason, reckoning') and the adjectival suffix '-istic' (influenced by philosophical terms like 'rationalism').
Initially the components literally meant 'against' + 'pertaining to reason'; over time the compound has come to be used specifically to describe attitudes or doctrines that reject or oppose rationalism or the primacy of reason, rather than merely being 'not rational'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to rationalism or to reasoning as the primary guide; characterized by rejection or distrust of rational thought or methods.
The philosopher's antirationalistic position rejected reason as the primary basis for moral judgment.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/08 17:04