rationalize

verb ra·tio·nal·ize \ ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz , ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlīz \

Updated on: 2 Apr 2018

Definition of rationalize

rationalized; rationalizing

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)

intransitive verb

: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct

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rationalizable

play \ˌrash-nə-ˈlī-zə-bəl, ˌra-shə-nə-ˈlī-\ adjective

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rationalization

play \ˌrash-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌra-shə-nə-lə-\ noun

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rationalizer

play \ˈrash-nə-ˌlī-zər, ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlī-\ noun

See rationalize defined for English-language learners

See rationalize defined for kids

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

At the end of her own book, Orth rationalizes Cunanan’s spree and suicide as follows: In an effort to avoid the humiliation of his own failed life, Andrew Cunanan, who had wasted his gifts and lived resolutely on the surface, struck back.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Versace: Everything We Know About Andrew Cunanan’s Suicide," 22 Mar. 2018
Male violence is not a new problem, but there’s a sense today, as students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas challenge inaction on guns, that the public mind has reached its own limit to rationalize and resign itself to boys’ bad behavior.

— michael reichert, The Atlantic, "Male Violence Is Everywhere," 26 Feb. 2018
In a state of psychosis, this inability to rationalize can have dangerous consequences.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "PEOPLE Explains: What Would Drive Someone to Gouge Out Their Own Eyes?," 23 Feb. 2018
Nevertheless, the exercise is typically more of an effort to estimate the company’s potential to generate revenue, and anyway, what an analyst can plausibly rationalize eventually reaches a limit.

— paul tullis, Car and Driver, "Mr. Musk and His Ever-Expanding Empire: Why Is Tesla So Loved by Wall Street?," 6 Feb. 2018
The price tag is difficult to rationalize, experts said.

— shefali luthra, Washington Post, "Bill Of The Month: For Toenail Fungus, A $1,500 Prescription," 16 Mar. 2018
Still, many of Trump's biggest fans stick by him, mirroring Trump's mode of thinking and discovering ever more extravagant ways to explain or rationalize the president's behavior.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Trumpism is a psychology, not an ideology," 7 Mar. 2018
But here’s a thought: why does the president even need to go through the motions of rationalizing his most dubious ideas?

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Should Be More Honest About His Jerkiness," 10 Feb. 2018
To say this is not to rationalize or apologize for Trump’s often shocking behavior or the administration’s errors.

— jonathan s. tobin, National Review, "Will the Economy Trump the President’s Behavior?," 9 Feb. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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rationalize Synonyms

Synonyms

account (for), attribute, explain, explain away;

Related Words

condone, excuse, forgive, justify;

absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate;

RATIONALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

rationalize

verb

Definition of rationalize for English Language Learners

: 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

RATIONALIZE Defined for Kids

rationalize

verb ra·tio·nal·ize \ ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlīz \

Definition 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

verb ra·tio·nal·ize

variants: also British rationalise play \ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz, -ən-ᵊl-ˌīz\

medical Definition of rationalize

rationalized also British rationalised; rationalizing also British rationalising

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