Thesaurus results for RATIONALIZING

rationalizing

verb

present participle of rationalize

as in explaining

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 rationalizing Instead of obsessively over-rationalizing or avoiding, try making friends with that feeling. —

Goth Shakira contributing, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Reenvisioning platforms is about rationalizing the toolset to optimize investments and realize measurable business value. —

Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026 While rationalizing deception is easy to do, developing the virtue of truthfulness is not. —

Katherine Moses, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026 If there were a Mensa society for rationalizing one’s own shitty behavior, Pippa would be its president. —

Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026 Aeffe is rationalizing its retail network and earlier this month the board approved the early termination of the rental contract signed with two real estate firms, Colloportus and FQuattro, respectively controlled by designer Alberta Ferretti and her brother, executive chairman Massimo Ferretti. —

Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025 This time, rationalizing the medical results was impossible. —

Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Boards under pressure for growth routinely make the wrong choice—rationalizing the damage as a problem for their successors. —

Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025 Headed one direction This line of thinking leads in one direction — rationalizing extreme measures in response. —

David French, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalizing

Verb

Sokoloff continued the offensive, explaining that the controller is legally mandated to annually audit affordable housing programs but has failed to do so.

— Rafael Perez, Daily News, 28 May 2026
While some hospitals obtain informed consent before conducting drug or alcohol testing during pregnancy or after delivery, others perform these tests without patient consent or clearly explaining the purpose and potential consequences.

— Dr. Mattie Renn, New York Daily News, 27 May 2026