rationalize
rationalized; rationalizing; rationalizes
Rationalize means to justify by developing a rationale, or a set of reasons for something. You could rationalize cutting school, saying your classes are boring, but you are still doing what you shouldn't be doing.
Rationalize can also mean reorganizing along rational lines––a watchmaker's shop might be set up in a totally illogical way that made sense only to the old owner, whose children will rationalize the shop's organization once the old man dies.
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think rationally; employ logic or reason“When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize”
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synonyms:
rationalise
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defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning“rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior”“he rationalized his lack of success”
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synonyms:
apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise
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structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results“We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits”
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synonyms:
rationalise
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weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
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synonyms:
cut, prune, rationalise
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type of:
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do away with, eliminate, extinguish, get rid of
terminate, end, or take out
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do away with, eliminate, extinguish, get rid of
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remove irrational quantities from“This function can be rationalized”
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synonyms:
rationalise
Vocabulary lists containing rationalize
This nonfiction work tells the story of the Hilterjugend — a group of German youths who were indoctrinated with Nazi policies and beliefs, making them an important part of the Nazi's World War II efforts.
Two teenagers, both of whom feel like outsiders at their prep school, form a close bond.
A high school student lives a single day of her life over and over again.
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