rationalize
Use Rationalize in a sentence
ə 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.
Mathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression): to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
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.
00:10
Rationalize
is always a great word to know.
So is lowest common multiple. Does it mean:
| to take one number or quantity from another; deduct |
| the smallest number that is a common multiple of a given set of numbers |
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
o·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
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. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To rationalize
Collins
World English Dictionary
rationalize or rationalise (ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to justify (one's actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event |
| 2. | psychol to indulge, often unchallenged, in excuses for or explanations of (behaviour about which one feels uncomfortable or guilty) |
| 3. | to apply logic or reason to (something) |
| 4. | to eliminate unnecessary equipment, personnel, or processes from (a group of businesses, factory, etc), in order to make it more efficient |
| 5. | (tr) maths to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation) |
| rationalise or rationalise | |
| —vb | |
| rationali'zation or rationalise | |
| —n | |
| rationali'sation or rationalise | |
| —n | |
| 'rationalizer or rationalise | |
| —n | |
| 'rationaliser or rationalise | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
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.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
We make every excuse in the book, trying to rationalize eating animals or distancing ourselves from our actions.
All of us can stand on our high horse and morally rationalize or justify this or that practice.
There is no benefit that can rationalize or justify the sacrificing of human life.
The time will come to rationalize the laws of drugs.
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