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Definition of rationalize
rationalized
;rationalizing
transitive verb
1 : to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: such asa : to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of rationalize a mythb : 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)
intransitive verb
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of rationalize in a Sentence
She tried to rationalize her grandson's strange behavior by blaming it on the boy's father.
He couldn't rationalize buying such an expensive car.
She knows she shouldn't have done it—she's just trying to rationalize.
Management is thinking of ways to rationalize our system of production.
Recent Examples of rationalize from the Web
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The dysfunction of the relationship only encourages both sides to boost the dosage and rationalize the addiction.
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Keep reading here about how power causes brain damage, and go here for insight into how some powerful hypocrites rationalize their inconsistencies.
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Jones tried to rationalize his statements in the interview but for the most part seemed frustrated by Kelly's queries.
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Jones tried to rationalize his statements in the interview but for the most part seemed frustrated by Kelly’s queries.
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If anti-Trump material comes from a news agency or a political opponent, the human mind is going to rationalize and explain it away as fake or biased news ...
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To his credit, Tillerson, unlike Homeland Secretary John F. Kelly and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, has kept to a minimum his rationalizing and spinning on behalf of the president on Russia and other topics more generally.
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If that's too lofty a comparison to rationalize the losses of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, which James almost overcame in 2015 with a ridiculous performance, then how about Ron Harper and Toni Kukoc?
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But this pervasive assumption rationalizing residential segregation in the United States ignores the long history of federal, state and local policies that generated the residential segregation found across the country today.
These 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.
First Known Use of rationalize
1665
RATIONALIZE Defined for English Language Learners
rationalize
playDefinition of rationalize for English Language Learners
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: to think about or describe something (such as bad behavior) in a way that explains it and makes it seem proper, more attractive, etc.
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: to find ways to make (something, such as an industry, a company, etc.) waste less time, effort, and money
RATIONALIZE Defined for Kids
rationalize
playDefinition of rationalize for Students
rationalized
;rationalizing
: to find an excuse for something that seems reasonable or believable He tried to rationalize his foolish purchase.
Medical Dictionary
rationalize
Medical Definition of rationalize
rationalized
also Britishrationalised
;rationalizing
also Britishrationalising
transitive verb
: 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 behaviorintransitive verb
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
Learn More about rationalize
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rationalize Spanish Central: Translation of rationalize Nglish: Translation of rationalize for Spanish speakers
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