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rationalize
[ rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz ]
/ ˈræʃ ə nlˌaɪz, ˈræʃ nlˌaɪz /
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verb (used with object), ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing.
verb (used without object), ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing.
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.
to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.
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Also especially British, ra·tion·al·ise .
usage note for rationalize
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 WORDS FROM rationalize
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use rationalize in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rationalize
rationalize
rationalise
/ (ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz) /
verb
to justify (one's actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event
psychol to indulge, often unchallenged, in excuses for or explanations of (behaviour about which one feels uncomfortable or guilty)
to apply logic or reason to (something)
to eliminate unnecessary equipment, personnel, or processes from (a group of businesses, factory, etc), in order to make it more efficient
(tr) maths to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation)
Derived forms of rationalize
rationalization or rationalisation, nounrationalizer or rationaliser, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for rationalize
rationalize
[ răsh′ə-nə-līz′ ]
v.
To make rational.
To devise self-satisfying but false or inconsistent reasons for one's behavior, especially as an unconscious defense mechanism through which irrational acts or feelings are made to appear rational to oneself.
Other words from rationalize
ra′tion•al•i•za′tion (-lĭ-zā′shən) n.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.