ra·tio·nal·ize also Brit ra·tio·nal·ise 
/ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz/ verb
ra·tio·nal·iz·es; ra·tio·nal·ized; ra·tio·nal·iz·ing /ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz/ verb 1 : to think about or describe something (such as bad behavior) in a way that explains it and makes it seem proper, more attractive, etc. [+ obj] ▪ She tried to rationalize her grandson's strange behavior by blaming it on the boy's father. ▪ He couldn't rationalize buying such an expensive car. [no obj] ▪ She knows she shouldn't have done it—she's just trying to rationalize. 2 [+ obj] chiefly Brit : to find ways to make (something, such as an industry, a company, etc.) waste less time, effort, and money
▪ Management is thinking of ways to rationalize our system of production.
▪ Management is thinking of ways to rationalize our system of production.
— ra·tio·nal·i·za·tion also Brit ra·tio·nal·i·sa·tion /ˌræʃənələˈzeɪʃən, Brit ˌræʃənəˌlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun, plural ra·tio·nal·i·za·tions [count, noncount]
▪ Listening to his rationalizations [=excuses] makes me angry.
/ˌræʃənələˈzeɪʃən, Brit ˌræʃənəˌlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun, plural ra·tio·nal·i·za·tions [count, noncount] ▪ Listening to his rationalizations [=excuses] makes me angry.
