rationalizations

noun

plural of rationalization
as in pretexts

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalizations
  1. pretexts
  2. rationales
  3. pretenses
  4. explanations
  5. justifications
  6. arguments
  7. reasons
  8. guises
Noun
  • Pages and pages have been written on this passage, seeking out its ideological subtext, its historical context and its intellectual pretexts in classical and early modern thought.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 9 June 2026
  • The Kremlin is making false accusations that could be used in the future as pretexts for military attacks.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Definition of pretexts
Noun
  • Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers.
    — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For Mary Kay, the latter of these rationales seems to have been clothed in the guise of the former, though the precise catalyst for establishing her own outfit remains indeterminate.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Definition of rationales
Noun
  • The strategic mistake of invading Iraq on false pretenses was then compounded by tactical errors.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson created the story of Nancy (Emilia Jones), who is not a girlfriend, but a crush who Bourdain foolhardily (and under false pretenses) follows to Provincetown after not getting a writing fellowship.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of pretenses
Noun
  • However, the findings place tighter limits on explanations for superconductivity in magic-angle graphene.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Perlis, an artist, radio host and Marin native, doesn’t strive for sociological or demographic explanations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of explanations
Noun
  • Idaho allows exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons, and medical justifications account for very few of those exemptions, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
    — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the center lies carceral safety politics—logics that turn fears of violence into justifications for punitive responses.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifications
Noun
  • The judge issued his ruling at the conclusion of a court session Tuesday, which continued the preliminary hearing that was largely held over a week in early July before a nearly two-month recess to prepare for closing arguments.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While the class was divided between protectionists and free-traders, the teacher gave no indication of his own views, and the textbook presented objective facts along with arguments from both sides.
    — Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of arguments
Noun
  • But there are reasons this sort of performance goes beyond the game-state defence.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In my experience, this assumption is one of the biggest reasons capital-raising campaigns fail.
    — Ramesh Tambe, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of reasons
Noun
  • Throughout the weekend, Dudamel embraced the worlds of Hollywood, Latin music in many guises and old-fashioned rock.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With their traditional, legacy rivals — the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur — in various guises of transition, Arsenal are suddenly the team to beat and the Emirates is suddenly a library of sound; noise please.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of guises
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.

Browse Nearby Words

rationalization
rationalizations
rationalize
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Cite this Entry

“Rationalizations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalizations. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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