as in explaining
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
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Recent Examples of rationalizing
Instead of obsessively over-rationalizing or avoiding, try making friends with that feeling.
—
Goth Shakira
contributing, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Reenvisioning platforms is about rationalizing the toolset to optimize investments and realize measurable business value.
—Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026
While rationalizing deception is easy to do, developing the virtue of truthfulness is not.
—Katherine Moses, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
If there were a Mensa society for rationalizing one’s own shitty behavior, Pippa would be its president.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Aeffe is rationalizing its retail network and earlier this month the board approved the early termination of the rental contract signed with two real estate firms, Colloportus and FQuattro, respectively controlled by designer Alberta Ferretti and her brother, executive chairman Massimo Ferretti.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
This time, rationalizing the medical results was impossible.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Boards under pressure for growth routinely make the wrong choice—rationalizing the damage as a problem for their successors.
—Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Headed one direction This line of thinking leads in one direction — rationalizing extreme measures in response.
—David French, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
Goth Shakira
contributing, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Reenvisioning platforms is about rationalizing the toolset to optimize investments and realize measurable business value.
—Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2026
While rationalizing deception is easy to do, developing the virtue of truthfulness is not.
—Katherine Moses, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
If there were a Mensa society for rationalizing one’s own shitty behavior, Pippa would be its president.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
Aeffe is rationalizing its retail network and earlier this month the board approved the early termination of the rental contract signed with two real estate firms, Colloportus and FQuattro, respectively controlled by designer Alberta Ferretti and her brother, executive chairman Massimo Ferretti.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
This time, rationalizing the medical results was impossible.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Boards under pressure for growth routinely make the wrong choice—rationalizing the damage as a problem for their successors.
—Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
Headed one direction This line of thinking leads in one direction — rationalizing extreme measures in response.
—David French, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalizing
Verb
-
Rock and dance music defenders alike have reached for their pitchforks, but Charli isn’t interested in debating or explaining the song to them.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
13 May 2026
-
The dramatic trailer opens with Ty introducing himself in a TikTok video and explaining why he was barricaded in his room.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
-
Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rationalizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalizing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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