rationalize

[ rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing.

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)

, ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing.

1. 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.

2. to employ reason; think in a rational or rationalistic manner.

rationalize

/ ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

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)

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.

Derived Forms

• ˌrationaliˈzation, noun
• ˈrationalˌizer, noun

Other Words From

• ra·tion·al·i·za·tion [rash-, uh, -nl-ahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n, rash-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 overrationalized overrationalizing
• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rationalize¹

First recorded in 1810–20; rational + -ize

Example Sentences

But mention these character and cognitive flaws to his supporters and they rationalize that life was better when Trump occupied the White House than it has been under President Biden.

From Los Angeles Times

But I think we imagined that the type of people who belong to the Economic Club of a major city might be able to rationalize their support for him in service of their portfolios but it is a bit surprising to realize that they actually like all the things they purport not to believe are true about him.

From Salon

The so-called weave is now being used to rationalize his inability to keep a single train of thought or give a straight answer in an interview:

From Salon

They “rationalize his rhetoric, by affording him a reverse benefit of the doubt. They doubt; he benefits.”

From Salon

But superstonkers are undeterred: When the promised surge fails to materialize, they inevitably find some way to rationalize it—usually it’s evidence that their detractors on Wall Street are far more powerful than they’d ever guessed, and that they’ll just have to wait a week or two more to finally get the upper hand.

From Slate

Related Words

• justify