Rationalize meaning

What does “rationalize” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“rationalize” is a verb with 5 meanings. Its most common meaning is: defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning.

rationalize

defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
“rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior”
“he rationalized his lack of success”
Synonymsapologize apologise excuse rationalise
weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
“We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet”
Synonymscut prune rationalise
structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
“We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits”
Synonymsrationalise
think rationally; employ logic or reason
“When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize”
Synonymsrationalise
remove irrational quantities from
“This function can be rationalized”
Synonymsrationalise

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University