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
Lisa Simon, chief economist at Revelio Labs, which collects and analyzes public labor market data, also suspects that some companies are pointing to their use of AI to rationalize layoffs.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
If margins continue to grow alongside revenue, the current low multiple becomes increasingly difficult to rationalize.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Each lie is rationalized as politics.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
His language seems designed to rationalize ICE agents storming through Midwestern streets kitted out as if they’re headed into battle in Fallujah.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
If margins continue to grow alongside revenue, the current low multiple becomes increasingly difficult to rationalize.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Each lie is rationalized as politics.
—Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
His language seems designed to rationalize ICE agents storming through Midwestern streets kitted out as if they’re headed into battle in Fallujah.
—Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize
Verb
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The micropipette allowed the researchers to measure electrical activity in the neuron, Gray explained.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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The doctor explained how Moïse had to be listed under several aliases while being treated.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While discussing current events, and specifically the military conflict with Iran, Reid said that Iranians were justified in disliking the United States due to the 1953 coup in which Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh was overthrown, an effort that Great Britain and the United States aided.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
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All this fuels engagement algorithms that the platforms use to justify their advertising rates and their stock prices.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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