as in rationale
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Recent Examples of rationalization
For some people, that discomfort is enough to trigger a self-protective instinct to deflect, blame, or jump to rationalizations, Dr. Kelley explains.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 May 2025
More often than not, the sort of activist who makes a career of political agitation — even from within the confines of an ostensibly apolitical institution — is beholden to a constellation of misconceptions and rationalizations that justify even the most self-destructive endeavors.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 29 May 2025
This is the episode where every lie, avoidance and rationalization comes out.
—Peter White, Deadline, 21 May 2025
After schools gave reassurances or rationalizations or denied services, the parents kept raising concerns, seeking advice from teachers and fellow parents and pursuing formal evaluations.
—Maria Benevento, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalization
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 8 May 2025
More often than not, the sort of activist who makes a career of political agitation — even from within the confines of an ostensibly apolitical institution — is beholden to a constellation of misconceptions and rationalizations that justify even the most self-destructive endeavors.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 29 May 2025
This is the episode where every lie, avoidance and rationalization comes out.
—Peter White, Deadline, 21 May 2025
After schools gave reassurances or rationalizations or denied services, the parents kept raising concerns, seeking advice from teachers and fellow parents and pursuing formal evaluations.
—Maria Benevento, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalization
Noun
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That position casts suspicion on a White House statement explaining the rationale for withholding disaster funds from Maryland.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
26 July 2025
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David Butorac, Wilton Manors The fact that our tax dollars are now being used to remove rainbow crosswalks is antithetical to the administration’s rationale that taxpayer money should only be used for road work and safety.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
Noun
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Powell’s management of the project, beset by cost overruns, has been raised by White House officials as a possible pretext for removing him after a Supreme Court ruling indicated the president’s powers over executive branch officials do not necessarily apply to the Federal Reserve.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 July 2025
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Israel's intervention, which has included strikes against government sites in Damascus, under the pretext of protecting minority groups, has also added to pressure against the government.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Noun
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On the other hand, vague explanations or rigid policies may suggest pay inequities, poor planning, or a top-down management structure.—
Kate Wieczorek,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
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Most questions are multiple-choice, but some seek explanations.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
Noun
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At a recent colloquium on critical materials for AI hosted by Professor Alondra Nelson at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton New Jersey, researchers lamented that confidentiality concerns often prevented forensic accounting of material needs for AI.—
Saleem H. Ali,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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In Trump’s accounting, the Middle East tour had helped balance that out.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
Noun
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In the case of Brazil, which now faces a potential 50% levy, the president has abandoned the pretense of using his tariff policy to shore up trade deficits.—
Garrett Haake,
NBC news,
10 July 2025
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Over the past several years, numerous individuals have been arrested after allegedly attempting to enter the property under suspicious or false pretenses, in some cases carrying electronic equipment or claiming to have messages for the president.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Pumping out 434-hp in its Japan-spec guise, the last A90 Supra was priced in its home country at 15 million yen or around $101,000.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Renowned for a distinct sense of minimalism, the new Ming 20.01 series 5 guise is anything but.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
14 July 2025
Noun
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While not all partners who cheat have dark personality traits, those who do often share certain justifications for their behavior.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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There is no other justification for trading a sturdy, dependable backup center for one who played 16 underwhelming games last season.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 July 2025
Noun
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In his ruling Thursday, Sabraw said the government did not prevail on any of those arguments.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 July 2025
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Authorities claim the series of assaults began when Wayne, the 43-year-old owner of Sons of Ink tattoo parlor, was driving his employee to her home in Queens and the two got into an argument, culminating in Wayne kicking her out of the car on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalization. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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