Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
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.
4.
to treat or explain in a rational or rationalistic manner.
5.
EXPANDMathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression): to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
6.
COLLAPSEChiefly British. to reorganize and integrate (an industry).
verb (used without object)
7.
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.
8.
to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.
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Rationalize
is always a great word to know.
So is rounding. Does it mean:
| a number or quantity placed before and multiplying another quantity, such as 3 in the expression 3x |
| the process of replacing a number by another number of approximately the same value but having fewer digits |
Also, especially British, ra·tion·al·ise.
Related forms
ra·tion·al·i·za·tion, noun
ra·tion·al·iz·er, noun
non·ra·tion·al·i·za·tion, noun
non·ra·tion·al·ized, adjective
o·ver·ra·tion·al·i·za·tion, noun
EXPANDo·ver·ra·tion·al·ize, verb, o·ver·ra·tion·al·ized, o·ver·ra·tion·al·iz·ing.
sem·i·ra·tion·al·ized, adjective
un·ra·tion·al·ized, adjective
un·ra·tion·al·iz·ing, adjective
COLLAPSEUsage note
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.
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To Rationalize
Example Sentences
- There is no benefit that can rationalize or justify the sacrificing of human life.
- All of us can stand on our high horse and morally rationalize or justify this or that practice.
- We make every excuse in the book, trying to rationalize eating animals or distancing ourselves from our actions.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
rationalize ra·tion·al·ize (rāsh'ə-nə-līz')
v. ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing, ra·tion·al·iz·es
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.
ra'tion·al·i·za'tion (rāsh'ə-nə-lĭ-zā'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo Rating For Rationalize
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