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

Find another scapegoat to rationalize your assault on the crown jewels of American progress — our colleges and universities that until now have attracted the best and the brightest from our country and all over the world. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2025

Clearly the request — which must have originated in City Hall — uses the fires as a smokescreen to rationalize a bailout for a deficit that is fundamentally the result of years-long fiscal malpractice. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2025

Under the Trump administration, the American corporate leadership paradigm has shifted from setting and achieving progressively higher targets to rationalizing or reducing them altogether. —Paul Klein, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

This, too, is abetted by supporters — critics would deride them as useful idiots — who downplay or else rationalize questionable decision-making as five-dimensional chess. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for rationalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

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