rationalize
/ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/ verb
Also a form of rationalise
Forms rationalizes rationalizing rationalized rationalise
- verb To make something rational or more rational.
- verb To justify a discreditable act, or irrational behaviour.
- verb (mathematics) To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.
- verb To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles. This often includes eliminating duplication and grouping like or similar items.
Synonyms
Etymology
From French rationaliser. By surface analysis, rational + -ize.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism.
- verb To interpret in the manner of a rationalist.
- verb To use, and rely on, reason in forming a theory, belief, etc., especially in matters of religion: to accord with the principles of rationalism.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “rationalize”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details