rationalize

/'ræʃnəlaiz/

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Explanation of the Word "Rationalize"

Definition:
The verb "rationalize" means to make something logical or reasonable. It can refer to both removing unnecessary parts from a situation or process and explaining or justifying actions or behaviors that might seem unreasonable at first.

Usage Instructions:

1. Basic Meaning: Use "rationalize" when you want to describe the act of making something clearer or more logical.
2. In Context: You can rationalize your decisions or actions by providing reasons that explain why you did them.

Examples:

• Basic Example: "She tried to rationalize her decision to leave the job by saying it was not the right fit for her."
• In a Scientific Context: "The engineers needed to rationalize the factory's production methods to improve efficiency."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex contexts, "rationalize" can be used in discussions about psychological behavior. For example, when someone does something that seems odd, they might provide a reason that helps make their actions appear more sensible.

Word Variants:

• Rationalization (noun): The process of rationalizing something.
  Example: "The rationalization of his behavior made it easier for him to cope with his choices."

• Rational (adjective): Related to logic or reason.
  Example: "She made a rational decision based on the data."

Different Meanings:

1. In Math: In mathematics, to rationalize often means to eliminate irrational numbers from the denominator of a fraction.

   • Example: "To simplify the expression, we need to rationalize the denominator."

2. In Psychology: Rationalization can also refer to a defense mechanism where a person justifies their actions to avoid feeling guilty.

   • Example: "He used rationalization to cope with his feelings of failure."

Synonyms:

• Justify
• Explain
• Defend
• Clarify
• Excuse

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Rationalize away": This phrase means to dismiss or minimize the importance of something by providing reasons.
  • Example: "She tried to rationalize away her mistakes, but they still affected her career."

Summary:

"Rationalize" is a versatile verb that helps express the idea of making something understandable or justifying actions.

Academic

Verb

1. remove irrational quantities from
   • This function can be rationalized
2. think rationally; employ logic or reason
   • When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize
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. weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
   • We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet
5. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
   • rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior
   • he rationalized his lack of success

Synonyms

• rationalise
• cut
• prune
• apologize
• apologise
• excuse
• justify