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rationalize

 - 4 dictionary results

ra⋅tion⋅al⋅ize

  [rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz] verb, -ized, -iz⋅ing.
Use rationalize in a Sentence
–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.

Origin:
1810–20; rational + -ize

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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rationalize
ra·tion·al·ize   (rāsh'ə-nə-līz')   
v.   ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing, ra·tion·al·iz·es

v.   tr.

  1. To make rational.

  2. To interpret from a rational standpoint.

  3. To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for (one's behavior): "Many shoppers still rationalize luxury purchases as investments" (Janice Castro).

  4. Mathematics To remove radicals, such as from a denominator, without changing the value of (an expression) or roots of (an equation).

  5. Chiefly British To bring modern, efficient methods to (an industry, for example).

v.   intr.

  1. To think in a rational or rationalistic way.

  2. To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for one's behavior.

ra'tion·al·iz'er 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.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ra·tio·nal·ize
Variant: also British ra·tio·nal·ise /'rash-n&-"lIz, -&n-&l-"Iz/
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -ized also British -ised; -iz·ing also British -is·ing
transitive senses
: to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable; especially : to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true andespecially unconscious motives rationalize his behavior by giving reasons that make it exempt from punishment> rationalize intransitive senses
: toprovide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct —ra·tio·nal·iz·er also British ra·tio·nal·is·er /-&r/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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

  1. To make rational.

  2. 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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