rationalize
verb
ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlīz\
Definition of rationalize
1 : to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: such as
a : to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of rationalize a myth
b : to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives rationalized his dislike of his brother broadly : to create an excuse or more attractive explanation for rationalize the problem
2 : to free (a mathematical expression) from irrational parts rationalize a denominator
3 : to apply the principles of scientific management to (something, such as an industry or its operations) for a desired result (such as increased efficiency)
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
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Other Words from rationalize
ˌra-shə-nə-ˈlī-
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adjective
ˌra-shə-nə-lə-
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noun
ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlī-
\
noun
Synonyms for rationalize
Synonyms
account (for), attribute, explain, explain away
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Examples of rationalize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Falling trade barriers enabled multinational companies to integrate their supply chains and rationalize operations across borders, to minimize costs and maximize product offerings. — Greg Ip, WSJ, "Consumer Beware: With Less Trade Comes Less Choice," 28 Nov. 2018 So don't judge your grief, or try to rationalize your way around it. — Andrea Park, Allure, "James Van Der Beek Opened Up About Wife Kimberly Brook's 3 Miscarriages In a Heartfelt Instagram Post," 10 Sep. 2018 The currency mix-up can sort of be rationalized by the fact that Malaysia and the Philippines have banknotes in similar shades of blue. — Christopher Bagley, Condé Nast Traveler, "Sailing the South China Sea Is the Best Way to See Southeast Asia," 15 Nov. 2018 But the alternative to what the Trump team is doing now on Iran and North Korea has been to rationalize doing next to nothing—an increasingly familiar default. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "It’s Trump’s Iran Deal Now," 9 May 2018 Unable to cope with losing to a team many had never even played against before, its opponents were reduced to whingeing and rationalizing. — Sarah Lyall, New York Times, "With a Coach Who Pulls Teeth to Relax, Iceland Becomes a Contender," 14 June 2018 Herein lay the justification for Gilpin’s remarkable, if fanciful, theory that rationalized American exceptionalism. — Johnforristerross, Longreads, "Taming the Great American Desert," 2 July 2018 When something awful happens, our instinct is to try to fix or rationalize. — Jackie Pilossoph, chicagotribune.com, "Column: When and how to use the power of silence in a relationship," 25 Apr. 2018 These expenditures can be rationalized as representing an alternative GOTV (Get Out the Vote) technique. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The Bill for the Ballot Battle Over California Gas Tax Might Reach $75 Million," 9 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rationalize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for rationalize
rationalize
verb
English Language Learners Definition of rationalize
: to think about or describe something (such as bad behavior) in a way that explains it and makes it seem proper, more attractive, etc.
: to find ways to make (something, such as an industry, a company, etc.) waste less time, effort, and money
See the full definition for rationalize in the English Language Learners Dictionary
rationalize
verb
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Kids Definition of rationalize
: to find an excuse for something that seems reasonable or believable He tried to rationalize his foolish purchase.
rationalize
verb
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Medical Definition of rationalize
: to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable especially : to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives he tried to rationalize his cruel behavior
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
Other Words from rationalize
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noun
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