What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nonrational
Example
Her nonrational fear of spiders made it difficult for her to go camping. [nonrational: adjective]
Example
He had a nonrational feeling that something bad was going to happen. [nonrational: adjective]
irrational
Example
It's irrational to be afraid of flying when it's statistically safer than driving. [irrational: adjective]
Example
She made an irrational decision to quit her job without having another one lined up. [irrational: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Irrational is more commonly used than nonrational in everyday language. Irrational is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while nonrational is less common and is often used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nonrational and irrational?
Both nonrational and irrational have a formal tone and are often used in academic or technical writing. However, irrational is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
