To rationalize something is to find a reason to do something that is not actually logical. Sometimes people use the word to describe the act of justifying or defending something that is not actually justified.
He rationalized his decision to break up with her by saying that she was too busy.
She rationalized her decision to cheat on her test by saying that she was only trying to help her friend.
verb
weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
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verb
think rationally; employ logic or reason
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verb
structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
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verb
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
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verb
remove irrational quantities from
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1
Rationalizing radicals in the denominator.
2
The above rationalization is funny.
3
The amount of the ration is decreased.
4
The claim is not a proof but a rationalization.
5
It was not merely rationalism in the Ingersolian sense.
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Let's stick with the rational and the factual.
7
Not that I need to rationalize the existence of it.
8
Rationalism is based on the individual's courage.
9
She is good at rationalizing herself.
10
Stick to the points of the discussion and be rational.