rationalize
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.
to remove unreasonable elements from.
to make rational or conformable to reason.
to treat or explain in a rational or rationalistic manner.
Mathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression): to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
Chiefly British. to reorganize and integrate (an industry).
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.
to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.
Origin of rationalize
1- Also especially British, ra·tion·al·ise .
usage note For rationalize
Other words from rationalize
- ra·tion·al·i·za·tion [rash-uh-nl-ahy-zey-shuhn, rash-nl-] /ˌræʃ ə nl aɪˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌræʃ nl-/ especially British, ra·tion·al·i·sa·tion, noun
- ra·tion·al·iz·er; especially British, ra·tion·al·is·er, noun
- non·ra·tion·al·ized; especially British, non·ra·tion·al·ised, adjective
- 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; especially British, sem·i·ra·tion·al·ised, adjective
- un·ra·tion·al·ized; especially British, un·ra·tion·al·ised, adjective
- un·ra·tion·al·iz·ing; especially British, un·ra·tion·al·is·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rationalize in a sentence
To begin with, testing exacerbates—or perhaps rationalizes—inequality and segregation in schools.
How Charter Schools and Testing Regimes Have Helped Re-Segregate Our Schools | Sally Kohn | May 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhen thought follows this emotion and rationalizes it, we can begin constructive work.
Our Part in the Great War | Arthur GleasonGeography, to be practical, must impress not only the fact, but also the principle that rationalizes or explains the fact.
Craftsmanship in Teaching | William Chandler BagleyIt rationalizes even the irrational, taking into bureaucratic custody all there is to our life.
The Civilization of Illiteracy | Mihai NadinIt never apologizes; it never rationalizes; and it never explains.
Visions and Revisions | John Cowper Powys
The real contract of depositum rationalizes fiducia cum amico.
An Introduction to the Philosophy of Law | Roscoe Pound
British Dictionary definitions for rationalize
rationalise
/ (ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz) /
to justify (one's actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event
psychol to indulge, often unchallenged, in excuses for or explanations of (behaviour about which one feels uncomfortable or guilty)
to apply logic or reason to (something)
to eliminate unnecessary equipment, personnel, or processes from (a group of businesses, factory, etc), in order to make it more efficient
(tr) maths to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation)
Derived forms of rationalize
- rationalization or rationalisation, noun
- rationalizer or rationaliser, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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