Meaning & Definition of Rationalize in English
English⟶
Rationalize
/ræʃənəlaɪz/
verb
1. Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
- "Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"
- "He rationalized his lack of success"
synonym:
- apologize,
- apologise,
- excuse,
- justify,
- rationalize,
- rationalise
2. Weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
- "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet"
synonym:
- cut,
- prune,
- rationalize,
- rationalise
3. Structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
- "We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits"
synonym:
- rationalize,
- rationalise
4. Think rationally
- Employ logic or reason
- "When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize"
synonym:
- rationalize,
- rationalise
5. Remove irrational quantities from
- "This function can be rationalized"
synonym:
- rationalize,
- rationalise
Examples of using
He tried to rationalize his foolish actions.