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
Aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump rationalized the effect his chaotic tariff talk was having on global stockmarkets.
—
Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
But the biggest threat on the horizon for VW is from President Donald Trump’s plan to rationalize its tariff regime with Europe.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Insisting that only the violence of the right is worth highlighting while rationalizing and downplaying that of the left will lead to more of it.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
The president rationalized his decision, in part, by pointing to trade deficits.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
But the biggest threat on the horizon for VW is from President Donald Trump’s plan to rationalize its tariff regime with Europe.
—Neil Winton, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Insisting that only the violence of the right is worth highlighting while rationalizing and downplaying that of the left will lead to more of it.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
The president rationalized his decision, in part, by pointing to trade deficits.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize
Verb
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As de Lara explains to Tanner, each Greek temple’s visual experience was different.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 May 2025
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The farm announced via Facebook that its oldest alligator died on Sunday, explaining that Morris lived at the park for 19 years.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Some were concerned the data was being used to justify efforts to combat climate change, although the rising cost of weather disasters is due to more than just global warming.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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This would effectively challenge pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing to America, leading to equitable pricing.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalize. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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