Thesaurus results for RATIONALIZED

rationalized

verb

past tense of rationalize

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

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Recent Examples of rationalized These converts, according to their chain of thought, rationalized their cheating in much the same way human cheaters do. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Once it’s been rationalized and authorized by the government, even admired and cultivated as an expedient virtue, there’s no easy way to stop it. — David Shulman, The New York Review of Books, 26 Aug. 2026 At a time when antisemitism is too often minimized, rationalized or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026 Jones’s ever more abusive and erratic behavior was ignored or rationalized by people who should have looked harder. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 After decades of disappointing share price performance, Amanda Blanc rationalized Aviva to focus on just a few key areas of strength. — Ian King, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalized

Verb

From Texas to beyond The couple initially considered limiting their contribution to Texas, Michael explained at the event, before deciding to expand the initiative nationwide.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Spagnuolo explained that the recognition is awarded only after a Chiefs victory, with the coaching staff putting together a highlight tape the following Saturday morning.

— Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of explained

Verb

Mississippi’s attorney general says a Senatobia police officer was justified in firing into a car during a shoplifting response, killing 1-year-old Kohen Wiley.

— Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
However, that valuation may be justified by strong earnings growth.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of justified

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“Rationalized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalized. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationalized

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