as in to explain
to give the reason for or cause of
rationalized his decision to buy the new car by noting that it was more fuel efficient than his old vehicle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rationalize
Trying to rationalize something with a teenager is different than trying to rationalize something with one of his cohorts.
—
Ashley Boucher, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
While many of these acts have been ignored or rationalized by the president’s supporters, the tariffs may be different.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Beneath their air of irreproachable authority, Jung and Freud — both brilliantly played, the first with subtlety, the other with theatrical relish — wrestle with petty grievances and insecurities, while the former stubbornly rationalizes his affair with onetime patient Spielrein.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump rationalized the effect his chaotic tariff talk was having on global stockmarkets.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Ashley Boucher, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025
While many of these acts have been ignored or rationalized by the president’s supporters, the tariffs may be different.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
Beneath their air of irreproachable authority, Jung and Freud — both brilliantly played, the first with subtlety, the other with theatrical relish — wrestle with petty grievances and insecurities, while the former stubbornly rationalizes his affair with onetime patient Spielrein.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump rationalized the effect his chaotic tariff talk was having on global stockmarkets.
—Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalize
Verb
-
But in the late 19th century, Finkelstein explained, women who'd worked as nurses during the Civil War, even though not part of the Union or Confederate armies, lobbied for and won the right to be buried at Arlington.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
-
As a condition of invitation to the festival, breweries must have a brewer in attendance to answer questions and explain their beers.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
By confusing the idea that the people’s will must prevail with what the law actually says, these leaders justify intimidating judges and their sound legal rulings, a move that ultimately undermines democracy.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalize. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share