as in explained
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 rationalized
Even among some voters who were sincerely uncomfortable with Mamdani’s past rhetoric, many rationalized that an authentic Democrat with a pulse was still better than someone who might be manipulated from afar.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
In two key ways, aggression against Venezuela or any other Latin American country now – rationalized by Washington as a response to insufficient law enforcement against drug-running – would be dangerously unprecedented.
—Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2025
This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
In many cases, models rationalized larger bets after losses or winning streaks, even though the rules of the game made such choices statistically unwise.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the Eagles were 4-0 (and eventually 10-1), and their issues were often rationalized by pointing to the record.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Since then, many on the right have celebrated the move and rationalized it one way or another.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Researchers also highlight the role of brain processes, such as the frontal lobe’s ability to organize and justify events in how secrecy is rationalized and maintained.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Through that prism, the Robinson trade could be rationalized.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
In two key ways, aggression against Venezuela or any other Latin American country now – rationalized by Washington as a response to insufficient law enforcement against drug-running – would be dangerously unprecedented.
—Alan McPherson, The Conversation, 2 Nov. 2025
This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
In many cases, models rationalized larger bets after losses or winning streaks, even though the rules of the game made such choices statistically unwise.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
In 2023, the Eagles were 4-0 (and eventually 10-1), and their issues were often rationalized by pointing to the record.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Since then, many on the right have celebrated the move and rationalized it one way or another.
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Researchers also highlight the role of brain processes, such as the frontal lobe’s ability to organize and justify events in how secrecy is rationalized and maintained.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Through that prism, the Robinson trade could be rationalized.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalized
Verb
-
The organization explained that the shelter avoids labeling dogs by breed to help reduce breed bias, which can negatively affect adoption rates, especially for pit bull-type mixes.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Wang explained that integrating thermal management directly into the battery reduces space, power consumption, and maintenance needs.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Some justified their retreats by citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.—
Essence,
Essence,
10 Nov. 2025
-
What begins as an academic thought experiment — can a lie ever be justified?—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalized. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
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