rationalize
rationalize Lexical Profile
rationalize Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To attempt to explain or justify (a behavior, attitude, or decision) with logical, plausible reasons, even if these are not the true or appropriate motives.
"He tried to rationalize his impulsive purchase by claiming the expensive laptop was an investment in his career."
British To make (a company, process, or industry) more efficient, especially by reorganizing operations to reduce or eliminate redundant personnel, equipment, or resources.
"The board voted to rationalize the manufacturing division by consolidating three regional factories into a single modern facility."
To bring into accord with reason or make logically consistent and systematic.
"Early legal scholars worked to rationalize the scattered customary laws into a single coherent code."
To eliminate radical expressions (such as square or cube roots) from the denominator of an algebraic fraction or equation without changing its value.
"The algebra teacher showed the students how to rationalize the denominator by multiplying both the top and bottom by the conjugate."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday psychological contexts, 'rationalize' often carries a slightly skeptical undertone of making up plausible excuses after the fact to justify questionable behavior, whereas in British and corporate business contexts, it neutrally refers to restructuring an organization for greater efficiency.
• Rhymes for rationalize
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 19th century from the adjective 'rational' plus the verbal suffix '-ize', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'rationalis' (of or belonging to reason) from 'ratio' (reckoning, calculation, or reason).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.