Rationalize definition

răshə-nə-līz
rationalized rationalizes rationalizing
See word origin
Frequency:
To rationalize one's behavior.
verb
3
1
To make rational; make conform to reason.
verb
3
1
To dismiss or minimize the significance of something by means of an explanation or excuse.
verb
3
1
To dismiss or minimize the significance of (something) by means of an explanation or excuse.
verb
2
0
To explain or interpret on rational grounds.
verb
4
3
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(mathematics) To remove radicals, such as from a denominator, without changing the value of (an expression) or roots of (an equation).
verb
3
2
Rationalize is to attempt to justify something or to make excuses for bad behavior or an unpleasant outcome.

When you steal from your friends but justify it based on the theory that they are spoiled and won't notice the money is gone, this is an example of a situation where you rationalize your behavior.

verb
2
1
To explain or justify (one's behavior) with incorrect reasons or excuses, often without conscious awareness.

Rationalized his poor academic performance by claiming the teacher was incompetent.

verb
2
1
To justify an immoral act, or illogical behaviour. “The process of thought by which one justifies a discreditable act, and by which one offers to oneself and the world a better motive for one's action than the true motive"
verb
2
1
(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.
verb
4
4
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To attempt to justify one's behavior by providing reasons that obscure one's actual motives.
verb
3
3
To make (a business or process, for example) more efficient, as by reducing costs or introducing modern methods.
verb
1
1
To terminate the employment of (workers) in an effort to improve efficiency.
verb
1
1
To think in a rational or rationalistic way.
verb
1
1
(chiefly brit.) To apply modern methods of efficiency to (an industry, agriculture, etc.)
verb
1
1
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(math.) To remove the radical signs from (an expression) without changing the value.
verb
1
1
To think in a rational or rationalistic manner.
verb
1
1
To rationalize one's acts, beliefs, etc.
verb
1
1
To make something rational or more rational.
verb
1
1
(mathematics) To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.
verb
1
1
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To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles.
verb
1
1
To explain rationally.
verb
1
2

Origin of rationalize

Rationalize Sentence Examples

  • Herodotus of Heraclea struggled to rationalize mythology, and established chronology on a solid basis.

  • This will help you rationalize and accept your place here, I believe.

  • Deidre tried to sort through her emotions and rationalize them.

  • Gabriel wanted to say something to her, to apologize, to rationalize what happened … He felt like he was on the verge of snapping, unable to settle the turmoil of his emotions.

  • He didn't think he'd ever be able to rationalize that both Deidres had gone to Darkyn instead of trusting him without resentment.

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Words near rationalize in the Dictionary