Medical Dictionary
rationalize
verb ra·tio·nal·ize
ra·tio·nal·ized also British ra·tio·nal·isedra·tio·nal·iz·ing also British ra·tio·nal·is·ing
Medical Definition of RATIONALIZE
transitive verb
: to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable; especially : to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives <he tried to rationalize his cruel behavior>
intransitive verb
: to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct
—ra·tio·nal·iz·er also British ra·tio·nal·is·er \-ər\ noun
Variants of RATIONALIZE
ra·tio·nal·ize also British ra·tio·nal·ise \ˈrash-nə-ˌlīz, -ən-əl-ˌīz\
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