rationalizes

• present tense form

  present tense

  Used to describe things happening now or regularly.

  of rationalize (3rd person singular).
  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:

rationalizes

Kane, who declined to disclose his average earnings, rationalizes that big losses are just part of the job.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026

Though she rationalizes her acts as doing the wrong thing for the right reason, the consequences will nevertheless catch up to her.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2024

“To sing with the gods, you sometimes need a ladder,” Houston rationalizes in the movie.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2022

Irene compartmentalizes and rationalizes her act; she needs to cool down, the tearoom is a breezy refuge, if one she intentionally seeks out rather than merely happens upon.

From New York Times ● Nov. 11, 2021

It annoys my father no end, but he rationalizes it by saying, “We live in a service economy. We all have to feed it somehow.”

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• justify