Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense rationalizes, present participle rationalizing, past tense, past participle rationalizedregional note: in BRIT, also use rationalise
1. verb
If you try to rationalize attitudes or actions that are difficult to accept, you think of reasons to justify or explain them.
He rationalized his activity by convincing himself that he was promoting peace. [VERB noun]
I poured my thoughts out on paper in an attempt to rationalize my feelings. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: reason out, resolve, think through, elucidate More Synonyms of rationalize
When a company, system, or industry is rationalized, it is made more efficient, usually by getting rid of staff and equipment that are not essential.
[mainly British, business]
The network of 366 local offices is being rationalised to leave the company with150 larger branch offices. [beVERB-ed]
rationalizationuncountable noun
...the rationalization of the textile industry. [+ of]
More Synonyms of rationalize
rationalize in British English
or rationalise (ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz)
verb
1.
to justify (one's actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event
2. psychology
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. (transitive) mathematics
to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation)
Derived forms
rationalization (ˌrationaliˈzation) or rationalisation (ˌrationaliˈsation)
noun
rationalizer (ˈrationalˌizer) or rationaliser (ˈrationalˌiser)
noun
rationalize in American English
(ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈrationalˌized or ˈrationalˌizing
1.
to make rational; make conform to reason
2.
to explain or interpret on rational grounds
3. Chiefly British
to apply modern methods of efficiency to (an industry, agriculture, etc.)
4. Ancient Mathematics
to remove the radical signs from (an expression) without changing the value
5. Psychology
to devise superficially rational, or plausible, explanations or excuses for (one's acts, beliefs,desires, etc.), usually without being aware that these are not the real motives
verb intransitive
6.
to think in a rational or rationalistic manner
7.
to rationalize one's acts, beliefs, etc.
Derived forms
rationalization (ˌrationaliˈzation)
noun
rationalizer (ˈrationalˌizer)
noun
Examples of 'rationalize' in a sentence
rationalize
`Oh, come on, Tim, you can't rationalize it that way, now, surely?
Malcolm, John THE GWEN JOHN SCULPTURE (2001)
Either that or she'd rationalize the vision she'd seen, and decide she'd been dreaming.
Clive Barker THE HELLBOUND HEART (2001)
I'm forever trying to take it apart, see what makes it tick; rationalize it.
various (2001)
In other languages
rationalize
British English: rationalize VERB
If you try to rationalize attitudes or actions that are difficult to accept, you think of reasons to justify or explain them.
He further rationalized his activity by convincing himself that he was actually promoting peace.
American English: rationalize
Brazilian Portuguese: racionalizar
Chinese: 使合理化
European Spanish: racionalizar
French: justifier
German: rationalisieren
Italian: giustificare
Japanese: 正当化する
Korean: 합리화하다
European Portuguese: racionalizar
Latin American Spanish: racionalizar
Chinese translation of 'rationalize'
rationalize
(ˈræʃnəlaɪz)
vt
(= justify) 使有合理依据(據) (shǐ yǒu hélǐ yījù)
(= streamline)[company, system]使合理化 (shǐ hélǐhuà)
1 (verb)
Definition
to find reasons to justify or explain (one's actions)
the trend to rationalize our failings by blaming our upbringing
Synonyms
justify
This decision was fully justified by economic conditions.
excuse
I know you're upset but that doesn't excuse your behaviour.
account for
vindicate
Subsequent events vindicated his policy.
explain away
make allowances for
make excuses for
extenuate
2 (verb)
Definition
to apply logic or reason to (something)
an attempt to rationalize my feelings
Synonyms
reason out
resolve
We must find a way to resolve these problems.
think through
elucidate
apply logic to
3 (verb)
Definition
to get rid of unnecessary equipment or staff to make (a business) more efficient
They have been unable or unwilling to modernize and rationalize the business.
Synonyms
streamline
They're making efforts to streamline their bureaucracy.
trim
They looked at ways they could trim these costs.
slim down
make more efficient
make cuts in
make cutbacks in
reduce wastage in
Additional synonyms
in the sense of excuse
Definition
to put forward a reason or justification for (an action, fault, or offending person)
I know you're upset but that doesn't excuse your behaviour.