rationalize

verb

ra·​tio·​nal·​ize ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce rationalize (audio)
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 How to pronounce rationalize (audio)
ˌra-shə-nə-ˈlī-
adjective
rationalizer
ˈrash-nə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce rationalize (audio)
ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlī-
noun
plural rationalizers

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There were all kinds of ways that people tried to rationalize the idea that there was a trend against the Democrats among these groups. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 These units will add to the brand’s main flagship opened in Cairo in 2020, when, following the COVID-19 outbreak, the company decided to rationalize its wholesale presence in favor of a more direct-to-consumer approach. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024 Not necessarily for moving away from VMware’s VCF offering, but certainly for rationalizing licensing and deployments. Matt Kimball, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 And if Alexander Hamilton was told to equalize something or to rationalize something with other countries, that's a standard. Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rationalize 

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rationalize was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near rationalize

Cite this Entry

“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationalize. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rationalize

verb
ra·​tio·​nal·​ize ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce rationalize (audio)
-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 noun

Medical Definition

rationalize

verb
ra·​tio·​nal·​ize
variants also British rationalise
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rationalize

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