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Rationalize Definition & Meaning

rationalize
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"
  2. weed out unwanted or unnecessary things; "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet"
  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"
  4. think rationally; employ logic or reason; "When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize"
  5. remove irrational quantities from; "This function can be rationalized"

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Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "rationalize" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for rationalize to find words that pair well.

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Frequently asked questions

What does rationalize mean?
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success" weed out unwanted or unnecessary things; "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet" structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results; "We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits" think rationally; employ logic or reason
What part of speech is rationalize?
Rationalize is a verb.
How many definitions does rationalize have?
Rationalize has 5 definitions across 1 part of speech (verb).

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