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Webster's New World College Dictionary » rationalized
rationalized
Variant of rationalize
rationalize
definition
ra·tion·al·ize (ras̸h′ən ə līz′)
transitive verb rationalized -·ized′, rationalizing -·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.
Related Forms:
- rationalization ra′·tion·ali·za′·tion noun
- rationalizer ra′·tion·al·iz′er noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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