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
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
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
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Not everything that unfolds on a baseball field needs to be explained.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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In early January 2025, the Bureau of Land Management website explained the communities are in an area that climate change is rendering uninhabitable, mentioning climate eight times.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There’s been nothing diva-ish about Brown’s public comments — even if calling for the ball would have been justified.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
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His message was 180 degrees opposed to progressive ideologue professors who teach students that opposing speech is itself a threat and that violent responses are justified when their ideas are challenged.—
Amy Stephens,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalized. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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