rationalize

American  

[rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz] / ˈræʃ ə nlˌaɪz, ˈræʃ nlˌaɪz /

especially British, rationalise

verb (used with object)

rationalized, rationalizing

1. to ascribe (one's acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that superficially seem reasonable and valid but that actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious and often less creditable or agreeable causes.

2. to remove unreasonable elements from.

3. to make rational or conformable to reason.

4. to treat or explain in a rational or rationalistic manner.

5. Mathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression).

   to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.

6. Chiefly British. to reorganize and integrate (an industry).

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verb (used without object)

rationalized, rationalizing

1. to invent plausible explanations for acts, opinions, etc., that are actually based on other causes.

   He tried to prove that he was not at fault, but he was obviously rationalizing.

2. to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.

rationalize British  

/ ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to justify (one's actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event

2. psychol to indulge, often unchallenged, in excuses for or explanations of (behaviour about which one feels uncomfortable or guilty)

3. to apply logic or reason to (something)

4. to eliminate unnecessary equipment, personnel, or processes from (a group of businesses, factory, etc), in order to make it more efficient

5. (tr) maths to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation)

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Usage

Although rationalize retains its principal 19th-century senses “to make conformable to reason” and “to treat in a rational manner,” 20th-century psychology has given it the now more common meaning “to ascribe (one's acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that seem reasonable but actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious causes.” Although the possibility of ambiguity exists, the context will usually make clear which sense is intended.

Other Word Forms

• nonrationalized adjective
• overrationalize verb
• rationalization noun
• rationalizer noun
• semirationalized adjective
• unrationalized adjective
• unrationalizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of rationalize

First recorded in 1810–20; rational + -ize

Example Sentences

Kyiv also wants to become more self-reliant through domestically produced weapons that will also help rationalize the hodgepodge of donated Western equipment it currently uses.

From The Wall Street Journal

You develop an adult level of awareness to rationalize and empathize with your situation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Schools and universities should be places where prejudice is confronted, not rationalized.

From The Wall Street Journal

They rationalize this otherwise contradictory behavior by telling themselves that even though the bubble assets they’re investing in are grossly overvalued, they will know when to get out — just before the bubble bursts.

From MarketWatch

In contrast, Netflix has nothing comparable to Warner’s studio infrastructure to protect and no redundant operations to rationalize.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• justify