ra‧tion‧al‧ize AC (
also rationalise British English) /ˈræʃ
ənəlaɪz/
verb [intransitive and transitive] [
Word Family: noun:
rationality ≠
irrationality,
rationale,
rationalism,
rationalist,
rationalization;
adjective:
rational ≠
irrational,
rationalist;
verb:
rationalize;
adverb:
rationally ≠
irrationally]
1. if you rationalize behaviour that is wrong, you invent an explanation for it so that it does not seem as bad:
When he fouls up, Glen always finds a way to rationalize what he’s done.2. British English to make a business more effective by removing unnecessary workers, equipment etc:
Our systems will be rationalized over the coming months.—rationalization /ˌræʃ
ənəlaɪˈzeɪʃ
ən $ -lə-/
noun [uncountable and countable]:
a major rationalization of the aircraft industry [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲