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 On the company’s earnings call, Celsius Chairman and CEO John Fieldly cited a product rationalization program and deliberate pause in innovation as main reasons for the shortfall. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 This interjection had become a form of rationalization for Kenzo, whatever the situation. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Entity rationalization, transfer pricing and consolidated return positions compound with each transaction. — Shawn Cole, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The rationalization is that residents are struggling and need help paying for food, electricity and gasoline. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationalization

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalization

Noun

So instead of making teams whole each time, the NFL now just pays teams’ travel expenses for their international game under the rationale that every team will lose a home game—and, in turn, home game ticket revenue—during that time.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
It's regarded as wildly unethical and cruel, so the rationale for Netflix turning it into a TV show, where 30 people enter a real prison for two weeks, is hard to justify.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rationale

Noun

Ultimately, the investigation is a pretext to bring many monstrous human beings to the fore, right?

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Lula’s government opposed the move, warning that applying a terrorism framework to Brazilian criminal groups could become a pretext for foreign intervention.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretext

Noun

But conventional explanations emphasizing liberalism’s association with economic development and the rise of a middle class cannot fully account for ideological shifts.

— Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
But the younger Trejo’s account at least offers an explanation for why his father took the job with Shapiro’s Daily Wire.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of explanation

Noun

The main issue concerned Clinco’s accounting records used to determined how much of their income to tax.

— Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
And the company's website advertises services beyond distribution, including product development, marketing, leasing, customer relations and accounting.

— Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of accounting

Noun

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful—don't expect any pretense here, just genuine (and enjoyable) engagement.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Tom’s frugality also lured Nancy into the business on the pretense of spending more time together.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretense

Noun

In the novel, likewise, the narrator assumes an almost Homeric guise, comparing current harbor gossip to chatter from the Phoenician, Cretan, Greek, and Roman eras.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
But unlike Backrooms, SCP Foundation has always been more centralized to this one website, and every subsequent SCP Foundation work has always fallen under the guise of the Creative Commons license, something the Backrooms creepypasta never did.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of guise

Noun

Such well-being is appealed to only as a smokescreen for the argument's true purpose, the justification of the administration's policies toward immigrants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
In doing so, defending their life felt like something akin to murder, despite her justification.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of justification

Noun

But Lugo concurred with Teymouri’s argument that the family’s extreme wealth and potential risk of flight required her to set a high bail.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The argument is designed to provide cover for the dehumanizing policies of the administration against immigrants and their families.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of argument

Browse Nearby Words

rationality

rationalization

rationalizations

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“Rationalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalization. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationalization

noun

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