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
  • 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
  • Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 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
  • Each of these explanations could have been folded into other lines of dialogue or phone calls or literally anything else instead of being spelt out alphabetically so Twitter can’t point out a plot hole.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • While official explanations have been absent regarding Aubrey’s departure and the circumstances that preceded it, its mysterious nature evokes the similarly abrupt exit of his predecessor, Shivaun Nurre, three years ago.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of explanations
Noun
  • 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
  • His shows were cancelled for what writers for Ynet and Haaretz considered questionable reasons, among them alleged pressure from Netanyahu’s allies, although the networks involved named other justifications, including financial ones.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifications
Noun
  • Dallas appellate attorney David Coale, who has handled appeals for decades, told CBS News Texas after the trial that Anthony's team could have several strong arguments over whether the trial was handled correctly.
    — CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Paul Schmidt, a Covington & Burling trial attorney representing Meta, contested O'Neill's arguments, and disputed the notion that Meta executives misled the public with their statements about child safety.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of arguments
Noun
  • Chelsea need to be active sellers, and not simply for financial reasons.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Only medical reasons can be used in justifying concurrent surrogacy, and a qualified physician must attest to them in writing.
    — Arthur L. Caplan, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of reasons
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
  • Footballing success, in differing guises, came a long time ago.
    — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 10 June 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.

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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 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of rationalizations for Spanish Speakers

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