Thesaurus results for RATIONALIZE

rationalize

verb

ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz

Definition of rationalize

as in to explain

to give the reason for or cause of rationalized his decision to buy the new car by noting that it was more fuel efficient than his old vehicle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of rationalize Because the reality speeding toward the Golden State Warriors is just too sad to fully rationalize. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 His larger diagnosis is that the division machine has made every disagreement existential — and that once a political difference becomes sacred, people will rationalize almost anything to defeat the other side. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 These activists have rationalized Hamas’ terrorist attacks and embraced outright antisemitism. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026 The pope has fiercely criticized joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and rebuked world leaders for invoking religious language to rationalize war and voiced opposition to the administration’s immigration crackdown. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize

Verb

But Antonelli’s ease with the new cars and Russell’s discomfort with having to adopt a radically new driving style can’t explain the half-second gap between the pair in qualifying.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
When pressed repeatedly by a Fox News cohost for specifics on the operation, Homan explained that disclosing that type of information could risk officer safety and prompt criminals to flee.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026