From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Rationalize \Ra"tion*al*ize\ (r[a^]sh"[u^]n*al*[imac]z), verb (used with an object)
1. To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism.
2. To interpret in the manner of a rationalist.
3. To form a rational conception of.
4. (Alg.) To render rational; to free from radical signs or quantities.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Rationalize \Ra"tion*al*ize\, verb (used without an object) To use, and rely on, reason in forming a theory, belief, etc., especially in matters of religion: to accord with the principles of rationalism.
Theodore . . . is justly considered the chief rationalizing doctor of antiquity. --J. H. Newman.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
verb
1: defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success" [syn: {apologize}, {apologise}, {excuse}, {justify}, {rationalise}]
2: weed out unwanted or unnecessary things; "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet" [syn: {cut}, {prune}, {rationalise}]
3: structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results; "We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits" [syn: {rationalise}]
4: think rationally; employ logic or reason; "When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize" [syn: {rationalise}]
5: remove irrational quantities from; "This function can be rationalized" [syn: {rationalise}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
117 Moby Thesaurus words for "rationalize": account, account for, adjust, allegorize, analyze, apply reason, argue insincerely, arrange, calculate, cast, chart, clarify, clear, clear up, codify, concert, contrive, coordinate, crack, cry sour grapes, cut out, decipher, deduce, demonstrate, demythologize, design, destigmatize, devise, distort, do justice to, elucidate, enlighten, euhemerize, exculpate, excuse, exemplify, explain, explain away, explicate, exposit, expound, figure, fix, forecast, frame, generalize, give reason for, give the meaning, harmonize, hypothesize, illuminate, illustrate, infer, intellectualize, intend, justify, lay plans, logicalize, logicize, make a projection, make arrangements, make clear, make plain, methodize, misapply, normalize, organize, paralogize, pervert, philosophize, plan, plan ahead, popularize, prearrange, program, project, provide a rationale, purge, reason, reason ill, reason out, regularize, regulate, rehabilitate, reinstate, restore, routinize, schedule, schematize, set up, settle, shape, shed light upon, show, show how, show the way, simplify, solve, spell out, standardize, syllogize, synchronize, synthesize, systematize, theorize, think through, throw light upon, tune, tune up, unfold, unlock, unravel, use reason, vindicate, warrant, work out, work up
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