rationalization
noun
ra·tio·nal·i·za·tion
ˌrash-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌra-shə-nə-lə-
plural rationalizations
: the act, process, or result of rationalizing : a way of describing, interpreting, or explaining something (such as bad behavior) that makes it seem proper, more attractive, etc.
They're masters of high-speed sophistry and self-serving rationalizations, and they threaten one another as if the power of threats lies mainly in how elegantly expressed they are …—
Nitsuh Abebe
Nitsuh AbebeBut that's a convenient rationalization that removes from the rest of us the onus for doing the right thing even when the wrong thing is alluring and nobody would blame you for it.—Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Leonard Pitts, Jr.People rationalize what they shun or are incapable of dealing with; these superstitions and their rationalizations become ritual as they govern behavior.—Ralph Ellison
Ralph EllisonImportantly, these perceptions of victimhood were automatic and effortless, not belabored rationalizations.—Kurt Gray and Chelsea Schein
Kurt Gray and Chelsea ScheinExamples of rationalization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Read: The intellectual rationalization for annexing Greenland President Trump has now returned to the fray, with a vengeance.
—Adam Price, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
The truth is that Trump’s rationalizations don’t stand up to scrutiny.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
There is no excuse and no rationalization for a vulgar, inhumane act that senselessly took a life.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
That said, if the Bills do lose Sunday, fans also could turn to rationalization to avoid the pain.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rationalization 
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.
Adam Price, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025
The truth is that Trump’s rationalizations don’t stand up to scrutiny.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025
There is no excuse and no rationalization for a vulgar, inhumane act that senselessly took a life.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
That said, if the Bills do lose Sunday, fans also could turn to rationalization to avoid the pain.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rationalization
Dictionary Entries Near rationalization
Cite this Entry
“Rationalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationalization. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rationalization
noun
ra·tio·nal·iza·tion
variants
also British rationalisation
: the act, process, or result of rationalizing
especially
: the provision of plausible reasons to explain to oneself or others behavior for which one's real motives are different and unknown or unconscious
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share