Wiktionary

rationalize

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From French rationaliser. By surface analysis, rational +‎ -ize.

Verb

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rationalize (third-person singular simple present rationalizes, present participle rationalizing, simple past and past participle rationalized) (American spelling, Oxford British English)

  1. To make something rational or more rational.
  3. To justify a discreditable act, or irrational behaviour.
    • 1987, “Exhuming McCarthy”, in Document (R.E.M. No. 5), performed by R.E.M.:
      Vested interest, united ties, / landed gentry, rationalize. / Look who bought the myth. / By jingo, buy America.
  4. (mathematics) To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.
  5. 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.

Hyponyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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References

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Anagrams

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French

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Pronunciation

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Verb

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rationalize

  1. inflection of rationaliser:
    1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
    2. second-person singular imperative
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