rationalizes

Definition of rationalizesnext
present tense third-person singular of rationalize
as in explains
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rationalizes But as another voter rationalizes, the sheer size of the ballot will do more harm than good in the long run. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026 One pattern rationalizes exploitation and disguises harm as the price of progress. Valerie L. Myers, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalizes
Verb
  • The brand grew out of Pacific Pharma (now part of Amorepacific), which explains its derm-minded approach.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026
  • This is where the real magic will happen, the Navy explains.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This justifies using the average premium SVOD churn rate, even though Paramount+ has traditionally fallen short of it.
    Andrew Root, Sportico.com, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The constraint, Dolci says, is not audience demand – the performance of existing screens more than justifies expansion – but the availability of suitable sites.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026

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“Rationalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalizes. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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