rationalize
verb
Simple meaning
Structure and run according to rational or scientific principles to achieve desired results.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
rashuhnuhlyzSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
Structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
“We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits.”
To justify a discreditable act, or irrational behaviour.
To make something rational or more rational.
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.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C2 · Proficient
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Typical Use
- Primarily written
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
Used this way, rationalize is a specialist word with a clearly warm, approving pull. It turns up most in science contexts.
“We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits.”
- Emotional tone
- Positive
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Gentle
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Successful and accomplished
- Usage feel
- Clinical and detached
Where it naturally appears
- Science
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use rationalize
- “We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits.”verb
- “Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior.”verb
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Word family
Words built from the same root.
The cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.