Thesaurus results for RATIONALIZE

rationalize

verb

ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz

Definition of rationalize

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of rationalize But the notion of ends rationalizing the means is problematic on many levels, most of all because without boundaries and structure there is chaos, and few have the same means and leverage at their disposal. — Vahe Gregorian july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026 Because the reality speeding toward the Golden State Warriors is just too sad to fully rationalize. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 6 July 2026 These activists have rationalized Hamas’ terrorist attacks and embraced outright antisemitism. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026 The pope has fiercely criticized joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and rebuked world leaders for invoking religious language to rationalize war and voiced opposition to the administration’s immigration crackdown. — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rationalize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize

Verb

Some news stations would run a warning for viewers before the ad would air, as well as explain the FCC law requiring its airing.

— Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Find out what the bill does when one workflow triples its tool calls after a model upgrade, because that is the scenario that turns a modest platform fee into a line item the CFO wants explained.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Southampton’s status as one of England’s premier talent houses is justified by the top of this list thanks to their sale of a 16-year-old Theo Walcott to Arsenal in January 2006.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Crump also argued that the criminal charges subsequently brought against Hackett were only brought to justify the force Arellano had already used.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026