rationalize

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rationalize

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• rationalise (non-Oxford British English)

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

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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.
   • 2024 11, Sally Jane Gellert, “Report from the Chair”, in Lackawanna Coalition Railgram:

     At our October meeting, Membership Director George Kaufer suggested rationalizing schedules on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton trains. He had prepared peak-hour schedules with a focus on ensuring that trains to Hoboken alternate more equally with those to New York, rather than having a number of trains to one destination together before a train to the other city.

• euhemerize (myth & popular beliefs)

• rationalization, rationalisation

• erizational, realization

• Homophones: rationalisent, rationalises

rationalize

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