rationalize

verb

ra·​tio·​nal·​ize ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz 

ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlīz

rationalized; rationalizing; rationalizes

transitive verb

1

: to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: such as

a

: to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of

rationalize a myth

b

: to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives

rationalized his dislike of his brother

broadly : to create an excuse or more attractive explanation for

rationalize the problem

2

: to free (a mathematical expression) from irrational parts

rationalize a denominator

3

: to apply research-based managerial principles to (something, such as an industry or its operations) for increased productivity and efficiency

intransitive verb

: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct

rationalizable

ˌrash-nə-ˈlī-zə-bəl 

ˌra-shə-nə-ˈlī-

adjective

rationalizer

ˈrash-nə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlī-

noun

plural rationalizers

Synonyms

• account (for)
• attribute
• explain
• explain away

Examples of rationalize in a Sentence

She tried to rationalize her grandson's strange behavior by blaming it on the boy's father.

He couldn't rationalize buying such an expensive car.

She knows she shouldn't have done it—she's just trying to rationalize.

Management is thinking of ways to rationalize our system of production.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a TikTok video with more than 205,000 views, Abby Eckel said the time and energy required to send out the perfect Christmas card is too much to rationalize. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024

Cost Optimization Takes Center Stage: CIOs and CTOs will be under pressure to rationalize their public cloud spending, prioritizing value, sound architectures and cost-effectiveness. —Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Bigoted ideas have rationalized real-world persecution resulting in profound suffering. —Dj Rosenthal, Baltimore Sun, 5 Nov. 2024

The exact outcome of this war is still to be determined, but Trump has routinely offered kind words for Putin, rationalized or defended Putin’s leadership, and kept assiduously away from any support or sympathy for Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine civilians, or Ukraine victims of war. —Frank Lavin, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

rationalize

verb

ra·​tio·​nal·​ize ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz 

-ən-ᵊl-ˌīz

rationalized; rationalizing

1

: to bring into agreement with reason or cause something to seem believable

2

: to remove irrational expressions from

rationalize a denominator

rationalization

ˌrash-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ən-ᵊl-ə-

noun

Medical Definition

rationalize

verb

ra·​tio·​nal·​ize

variants also British rationalise

ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz, -ən-ᵊl-ˌīz 

rationalized also British rationalised; rationalizing also British rationalising

transitive verb

: to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable

especially : to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives

he tried to rationalize his cruel behavior

intransitive verb

: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct

rationalizer noun

also British rationaliser

-ər