rationalize
rationalize
Definition
ra·tion·al·ize (ras̸h′ən ə līz′)
transitive verb -·ized′, -·iz′·ing
- to make rational; make conform to reason
- to explain or interpret on rational grounds
- Chiefly Brit. to apply modern methods of efficiency to (an industry, agriculture, etc.)
- Math. to remove the radical signs from (an expression) without changing the value
- Psychol. to devise superficially rational, or plausible, explanations or excuses for (one's acts, beliefs, desires, etc.), usually without being aware that these are not the real motives
intransitive verb
- to think in a rational or rationalistic manner
- to rationalize one's acts, beliefs, etc.
ra′·tion·ali·za′·tion noun
ra′·tion·al·iz′er noun
rationalize
Synonyms
rationalize
v.
rationalize
Usage Examples
Object
- system: Diageo also wanted to upgrade and rationalize core information systems and integrate back-office services.
- mcbride: Against catastrophes not or codec to me quot rationalizes mcbride.
- number: By rationalizing the number of these specialty fuels, ExxonMobil and other companies could bring fuels to market more efficiently and cost effectively.
- policy: Graham herself rationalized this policy in a speech she gave at CIA headquarters in 1988.
- act: We hear about sacrifice to the gods only when the boy's parents rationalize the act to him.
- anything: Science can rationalize anything with the rules they enforce randomly.
Used with why or when
- why: Was the testing to provide the final ammunition to rationalize why Herb no longer belonged with his ' typical ' peers?
- what: The judge said almost every killer who had stood before him rationalized what he had done.
Modifying Another Word
- not: Formal equality of opportunity as characterized in this entry would not rationalize this legal policy.
- away: In an effort to " do the deal " significant warning signs are frequently overlooked, disregarded, or rationalized away.
- just: I'm just rationalizing that my OE harness will do fine for now.
- n't: And I do n't rationalize this away by saying the public are " sheep " .
- then: The surfaces were then rationalized in CATIA to achieve repetition without sacrificing form.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- away: But if the terminology is arbitrary, we still cannot rationalize away our sense of truth and correctness is this manner.
Browse dictionary entries near rationalize
- rationality
- rationalism
- rationale
- rational basis test
- rational
- ration
- ratiocination
- ratiocinate
- ratio spread
- ratio hedge
- rationally
- ratite
- ratline
- ratoon
- rats
- ratsbane
- RATT
- rattail
- rattail cactus
- rattan
