RATIONALIZATION Synonyms: 20 Similar Words

rationalization

noun

Definition of rationalization

as in rationale

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rationalization Although the Mughals mainly incorporated the existing Indian revenue system, Akbar’s reign also saw the rationalization of revenue administration, notably under the Hindu minister Todar Mal, with systematic land measurement and assessment that balanced imperial income with agrarian stability. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026 On the Waterfront is, of course, a legendary film, but today it is considered by many to be a rationalization for Kazan collaborating with HUAC, not just a good crime picture with Marlon Brando. — Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026 Two at-odds facts can both be true, and all of us are susceptible to arrogance and self-serving rationalization. — Carol Quillen, Time, 21 Feb. 2026 Whether that’s a reality or a rationalization will only be known once the hire materializes. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationalization

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalization

Noun

Benchmark selection rationale, red-team findings and bias audit results, including inconclusive ones, must be documented rather than summarized.

— Akash Pugalia, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, Michaels is unhindered by having to sell Wall Street on the rationale for an acquisition or new strategy.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 17 July 2026

Definition of rationale

Noun

On Tuesday, Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called for calm, saying some protestors used Fakir’s death as a pretext for violence.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
That era involved small cliques of devs talking a big game about decentralization (which often provided a pretext for no accountability) while shilling tokens at all turns.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Definition of pretext

Noun

Did anyone else think Andriy and Bobby’s explanation of what happened in the workroom felt patchy too?

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 July 2026
An exploded sunfish spread out in the water in thousands of pieces is certainly easier to share, offering another possible explanation for this practice.

— Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

Brennan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019 with a major in accounting and information systems and worked in public accounting as an auditor and consultant.

— Evan Zimmer, CNBC, 22 July 2026
There’s a multiyear global shortage of accounting talent; Deloitte notes a wave of retirements in recent years and declining numbers of new accounting students.

— Megan Weis, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of accounting

Noun

Everything else is pretense; the diplomat is pretense; the Hand of the King, there’s a level of pretense; Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, there’s a level of pretense.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 20 July 2026
When Moore finally abandons the pretense and focuses in earnest on his presidential ambitions, the damage to Maryland will be incalculable and likely irreparable.

— Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

Definition of pretense

Noun

Somewhere between a sandal and a ballet flat, caged silhouettes come in all manner of guises.

— Sarah Leigh Bannerman, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Everything from the division of the Peaches and the Plums to Shamea’s tagline this season is a secret cry from Shamea to Porsha, begging for attention under the guise of her own emancipation.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Definition of guise

Noun

Democratic leadership cited the ongoing war on Iran as the primary justification for delaying the bill’s progress.

— Julia Gledhill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The core issue now is control of the Strait of Hormuz, which wasn’t even part of the original justification for war.

— Robin Wright, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

Because the most common objection to the argument turns out to be the argument's best evidence.

— Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
An independent committee investigating the cause of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades heard arguments on how improper practices that evaded regulatory oversight turned a small fire into a tragedy as the case neared its conclusion Friday.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026

Definition of argument

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“Rationalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalization. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationalization

noun

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