rationalize
verb
ra·tio·nal·ize
ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz 
ˈra-shə-nə-ˌlīz
rationalized; rationalizing; rationalizes
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
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
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
Insisting that only the violence of the right is worth highlighting while rationalizing and downplaying that of the left will lead to more of it.
—
Noah Rothman, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
The president rationalized his decision, in part, by pointing to trade deficits.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
If and when states stop invoking the norm against territorial conquest or rationalizing their actions in ways that indicate at least a shallow allegiance to it, the norm will have died.
—Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2025
If Jude’s previous two fiction films were Molotov cocktails of indignation, his latest secretes a kind of scentless poison that gets at the banality with which social injustices are processed and rationalized.
—Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
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Noah Rothman, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
The president rationalized his decision, in part, by pointing to trade deficits.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
If and when states stop invoking the norm against territorial conquest or rationalizing their actions in ways that indicate at least a shallow allegiance to it, the norm will have died.
—Tanisha M. Fazal, Foreign Affairs, 21 Mar. 2025
If Jude’s previous two fiction films were Molotov cocktails of indignation, his latest secretes a kind of scentless poison that gets at the banality with which social injustices are processed and rationalized.
—Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationalize. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Medical Definition
rationalize
verb
ra·tio·nal·ize
variants
also British rationalise
rationalized also British rationalised; rationalizing also British rationalising
: 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
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
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