as in explained
to give the reason for or cause of
rationalized his decision to buy the new car by noting that it was more fuel efficient than his old vehicle
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rationalized
These activists have rationalized Hamas’ terrorist attacks and embraced outright antisemitism.
—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2026
Given the extent to which this entire offense is slumping, the manager could have rationalized benching any one of several hitters.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Of those seven losses, setbacks against Dallas and Chicago (while both were still trying to win) and Milwaukee could at least be rationalized.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Each lie is rationalized as politics.
—
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Society has rationalized the human into triviality, and we’re stuck in a bad game.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
There needs to be a takeout of some capacity and for that to be more rationalized—or demand go up significantly.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Dec. 2025
The American casualties were tragic, my peers rationalized, but the real problem was American foreign policy.
—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Even among some voters who were sincerely uncomfortable with Mamdani’s past rhetoric, many rationalized that an authentic Democrat with a pulse was still better than someone who might be manipulated from afar.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2026
Given the extent to which this entire offense is slumping, the manager could have rationalized benching any one of several hitters.
—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
Of those seven losses, setbacks against Dallas and Chicago (while both were still trying to win) and Milwaukee could at least be rationalized.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Each lie is rationalized as politics.
—
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Society has rationalized the human into triviality, and we’re stuck in a bad game.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
There needs to be a takeout of some capacity and for that to be more rationalized—or demand go up significantly.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Dec. 2025
The American casualties were tragic, my peers rationalized, but the real problem was American foreign policy.
—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Dec. 2025
Even among some voters who were sincerely uncomfortable with Mamdani’s past rhetoric, many rationalized that an authentic Democrat with a pulse was still better than someone who might be manipulated from afar.
—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalized
Verb
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After the revolution, explained Miller, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton wasn't liking how the country's coffers were looking.
-
In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts explained the constitutional rationale behind the decision.
Verb
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Still, Calabrese says any kind of travel expenses should go through layers of approval and be properly justified.
-
Will the high costs of running and using Fable be justified now that alternatives have emerged?
Cite this Entry
“Rationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalized. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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