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
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Recent Examples of rationalize
That situation will have to be rationalized and given some streetside real estate.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 29 July 2025
Without self-awareness, most of us could convince ourselves of anything, with plenty of excuses that rationalize our behaviors.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Therefore, according to Irwin, the more effective way to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup would be to weaken the industry by rationalizing U.S. sugar policy.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 17 July 2025
But how to rationalize the black eye to CBS News and its signature news show 60 Minutes?
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 29 July 2025
Without self-awareness, most of us could convince ourselves of anything, with plenty of excuses that rationalize our behaviors.
—Harry Kraemer, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Therefore, according to Irwin, the more effective way to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup would be to weaken the industry by rationalizing U.S. sugar policy.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 17 July 2025
But how to rationalize the black eye to CBS News and its signature news show 60 Minutes?
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize
Verb
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The death of his son Hamlet ( a title card on the film explains the name Hamlet is another way of saying Hamlet) has directly affected the creation of this dark story with so much death at its center, and a ghostly presence that becomes its spiritual core.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
30 Aug. 2025
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But in past comments, Huang had explained to Trump and others how selling chips to China is good for America.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump justified both sets of tariffs - as well as more recent tariffs - under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.—
Dietrich Knauth,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, a Republican who represents the far southeast corner of the county, has opposed the project, arguing Google will create too few jobs and pay too little in taxes to justify taking up nearly 470 acres of land.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalize. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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