rationalize
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to remove unreasonable elements from.
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to make rational or conformable to reason.
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to treat or explain in a rational or rationalistic manner.
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Mathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression).
to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
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Chiefly British. to reorganize and integrate (an industry).
verb (used without object)
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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.
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to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.
verb
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to justify (one's actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event
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psychol to indulge, often unchallenged, in excuses for or explanations of (behaviour about which one feels uncomfortable or guilty)
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to apply logic or reason to (something)
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to eliminate unnecessary equipment, personnel, or processes from (a group of businesses, factory, etc), in order to make it more efficient
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(tr) maths to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation)
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins in a presentation mostly aimed at showing that the agencies would harmonize their rules to promote cryptocurrency innovation and rationalize margin collateral requirements in securities markets.
From Barron's
Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins in a presentation mostly aimed at showing that the agencies would harmonize their rules to promote cryptocurrency innovation and rationalize margin collateral requirements in securities markets.
From Barron's
“As flows started to reverse and markets rationalized, those spectacular numbers fell into more modest territory. Then the 2022 bear market hit,” Bespoke added, noting that many investors were now stuck with “deeply underwater positions.”
From Barron's
“As flows started to reverse and markets rationalized, those spectacular numbers fell into more modest territory. Then the 2022 bear market hit,” Bespoke added, noting that many investors were now stuck with “deeply underwater positions.”
From Barron's
If it’s just in your head, it’s too easy to rationalize exceptions.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
