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1. Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
   "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behaviour"; "he rationalized his lack of success";
   - apologize, apologise [Brit], excuse, rationalise [Brit]
    
2. Weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
   - cut, prune, rationalise [Brit]
    
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";
   - rationalise [Brit]
    
4. Think rationally; employ logic or reason
   "When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize";
   - rationalise [Brit]
    
5. (mathematics) remove irrational quantities from
   "This function can be rationalized";
   - rationalise [Brit]

Derived forms: rationalized, rationalizes, rationalizing

Type of: alter, cerebrate, change, cogitate, defend, do away with, eliminate, extinguish, fend for, get rid of, modify, organise [Brit], organize, support, think

Encyclopedia: Rationalize