Found 2 items, similar to rationalize.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: rationalize rationalize v 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]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Rationalize Rationalize \Ra"tion*al*ize\ (r[a^]sh"[u^]n*al*[imac]z), v. t. 1. To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism. [1913 Webster] 2. To interpret in the manner of a rationalist. [1913 Webster] 3. To form a rational conception of. [1913 Webster] 4. (Alg.) To render rational; to free from radical signs or quantities. [1913 Webster] Rationalize \Ra"tion*al*ize\, v. i. To use, and rely on, reason in forming a theory, belief, etc., especially in matters of religion: to accord with the principles of rationalism. [1913 Webster] Theodore . . . is justly considered the chief rationalizing doctor of antiquity. --J. H. Newman. [1913 Webster]