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Definitions

rationalize

[rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz] / ˈræʃ ə nlˌaɪz, ˈræʃ nlˌaɪz /
VERB
make excuse; justify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
justify
STRONG
deliberate elucidate excise excuse extenuate reason reconcile resolve think vindicate
WEAK
account for apply logic cop a plea cop out explain away give alibi intellectualize make allowance reason out think through

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul Atkins in a presentation mostly aimed at showing that the agencies would harmonize their rules to promote cryptocurrency innovation and rationalize margin collateral requirements in securities markets.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

If it’s just in your head, it’s too easy to rationalize exceptions.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026

Dahlia Lithwick: There is a very human propensity, especially in times of crisis, to normalize and rationalize and temporize.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2025

Even if it could still rationalize that its transactions with OpenAI are quantitatively insignificant, there is no denying that the overall relationship with OpenAI is quite material.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

Oppenheimer duly contrived “an elegant theory to rationalize these results,” and when Bohr came for his visit, the work was trotted out for him as a showpiece of Rad Lab science.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik