rationalized

• past participle

  past participle

  A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.

  of rationalize.
  rationalize

  verb (used with object)

  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.
• past tense form

  past tense

  Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.

  of rationalize.
  rationalize

  verb (used with object)

  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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rationalized

These cuts, once made, tend to be rationalized.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Unilateral action can be rationalized as acting because it is too cumbersome to mobilize allies whose interests do not align with one’s own.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

“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 ● Jan. 30, 2026

“We rationalized that if this area were to burn, the whole town would burn,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 15, 2025

I don't know that I've ever felt so cheap, but I rationalized it by reminding myself that it wasn't my fault this person was trapped.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

• justify