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
Expect a material slowdown in employment, lower interest rates, and a lot of rationalizing about why the economy is being deliberately slowed to save it.
—
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
To employees, Altman used the specter of US adversaries advancing AI research faster than OpenAI to rationalize why the company needed to be less and less open while working as fast as possible.
—Karen Hao, Wired News, 21 May 2025
In a country shackled and scarred by race, religion, gender, and class, much of that rationalized and reified by mainline American churches, the Disciples were genial revolutionists offering inclusion, education, and empowerment for those at the margins.
—Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Given this reality, Israelis’ attribution of collective responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack creates a troubling moral calculus that rationalizes civilian suffering.
—Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
To employees, Altman used the specter of US adversaries advancing AI research faster than OpenAI to rationalize why the company needed to be less and less open while working as fast as possible.
—Karen Hao, Wired News, 21 May 2025
In a country shackled and scarred by race, religion, gender, and class, much of that rationalized and reified by mainline American churches, the Disciples were genial revolutionists offering inclusion, education, and empowerment for those at the margins.
—Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Given this reality, Israelis’ attribution of collective responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack creates a troubling moral calculus that rationalizes civilian suffering.
—Carlo Koos, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize
Verb
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Bochy explained his mentality amid the Rangers’ struggles at the plate.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2025
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On Wednesday evening, Bluesky reinstated the account and issued a statement explaining the rationale behind the suspension.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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This pattern suggests potential sensitivity to macroeconomic shocks. LLY Valuation Sensitivity: The company’s elevated multiple, while justified by growth prospects, creates vulnerability to any disappointment in execution or market sentiment shifts.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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In the show’s April 15 premiere, Jax strives to justify his actions in a confessional interview.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalize. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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