Related Searches
on Ask.com
rationalization - 5 dictionary results
ra⋅tion⋅al⋅ize
[rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz] 
ə
verb, -ized, -iz⋅ing.–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. |
| 3. | to make rational or conformable to reason. |
| 4. | to treat or explain in a rational or rationalistic manner. |
| 5. | Mathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression): to rationalize the denominator of a fraction. |
| 6. | Chiefly 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. |
Also, especially British, ra⋅tion⋅al⋅ise.
Related forms:
ra⋅tion⋅al⋅i⋅za⋅tion, noun
ra⋅tion⋅al⋅iz⋅er, noun
Usage 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. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To rationalization
| ra·tion·al·i·za·tion (rāsh'ə-nə-lĭ-zā'shən) n.
|
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Rationalization
Ra`tion*al*i*za"tion\, n. The act or process of rationalizing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Rationalization
A reorganization of a company in order to increase its efficiency. This reorganization may lead to an expansion or reduction in company size, a change of policy, or an alteration of strategy pertaining to particular products.
Investopedia Commentary
Similar to a reorganization, a rationalization is more widespread, encompassing strategy as well as structural changes.
See also: Horizontal Integration, Reorganization, Restructuring, Vertical Integration
Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Main Entry: ra·tio·nal·iza·tion
Variant: also British ra·tio·nal·isa·tion /"rash-n&-l&-'zA-sh&n,-&n-&l-&-/
Function: noun
: the act, process, or result of rationalizing; especially : the provision of plausible reasons to explainto oneself or others behavior for which one's real motives are different and unknown or unconscious
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
