Rationalize
English Meaning
To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism.
- To make rational.
- To interpret from a rational standpoint.
- To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for (one's behavior): "Many shoppers still rationalize luxury purchases as investments” ( Janice Castro).
- Mathematics To remove radicals, such as from a denominator, without changing the value of (an expression) or roots of (an equation).
- Chiefly British To bring modern, efficient methods to (an industry, for example).
- To think in a rational or rationalistic way.
- To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for one's behavior.
