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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  • This explains why parents have so little patience for the complaint.
    Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
  • In that sense, Coddington explains that legacy is not measured solely by what is transferred.
    Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Feb. 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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Cite this Entry

“Rationalizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalizes. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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