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
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Recent Examples of rationalize
Ricketts rationalized that the money from Bellinger’s contract could be diverted elsewhere.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
In the late 1800s, local elites attempted to rationalize charitable giving by forming charitable societies to act as umbrella organizations that could weed out the undeserving from the deserving.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Psychology Today notes that when someone feels offended, acknowledging their emotions without immediately trying to rationalize or defend the comment can help de-escalate the situation.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
For example, moral disengagement—when individuals justify or rationalize their lack of empathy—can exacerbate this issue.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025
In the late 1800s, local elites attempted to rationalize charitable giving by forming charitable societies to act as umbrella organizations that could weed out the undeserving from the deserving.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
Psychology Today notes that when someone feels offended, acknowledging their emotions without immediately trying to rationalize or defend the comment can help de-escalate the situation.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
For example, moral disengagement—when individuals justify or rationalize their lack of empathy—can exacerbate this issue.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rationalize
Cite this Entry
“Rationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalize. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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