SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
rationalize
verb
To offer a seemingly reasonable explanation, sometimes to justify questionable conduct.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Explain away
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topRationalize often carries skepticism about the explanation. Vindicate is stronger and implies that the defense succeeds in clearing blame.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See rationalize in use
He tried to rationalize the missed deadline by pointing to minor interruptions.
A staff member tried to rationalize reserving every comfortable seat for his friends by claiming that familiar faces made readings easier.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license