What does rationalization mean?

Definitions for rationalization
ra·tio·nal·iza·tion

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word rationalization.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. rationalization, rationalisationnoun

    the cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason

  2. rationalization, rationalisationnoun

    (psychiatry) a defense mechanism by which your true motivation is concealed by explaining your actions and feelings in a way that is not threatening

  3. rationalization, rationalisationnoun

    (mathematics) the simplification of an expression or equation by eliminating radicals without changing the value of the expression or the roots of the equation

  4. rationalization, rationalisationnoun

    the organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency

  5. systematization, systematisation, rationalization, rationalisationnoun

    systematic organization; the act of organizing something according to a system or a rationale

Wiktionary

  1. rationalizationnoun

    The process, or result of rationalizing.

  2. rationalizationnoun

    A statement of one's motives, or of the causes of some event.

  3. rationalizationnoun

    A reorganization of a company or organization in order to improve its efficiency.

  4. rationalizationnoun

    The concealment of true motivation in some non-threatening way.

  5. rationalizationnoun

    The simplification of an expression without changing its value.

ChatGPT

  1. rationalization

    Rationalization is the process of explaining or justifying one's behavior, actions, beliefs, or decisions, especially when these are irrational or controversial. It involves coming up with seemingly logical or rational reasons or excuses to justify attitudes, thoughts, or actions that may otherwise seem unreasonable or unacceptable. It is often employed as a psychological defense mechanism to avoid confronting the actual reasons behind certain behaviors or decisions.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Rationalizationnoun

    the act or process of rationalizing

Wikidata

  1. Rationalization

    In psychology and logic, rationalization is an unconscious defense mechanism in which perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are logically justified and explained in a rational or logical manner in order to avoid any true explanation, and are made consciously tolerable – or even admirable and superior – by plausible means. Rationalization encourages irrational or unacceptable behavior, motives, or feelings and often involves ad hoc hypothesizing. This process ranges from fully conscious to mostly subconscious. People rationalize for various reasons. Rationalization may differentiate the original deterministic explanation of the behavior or feeling in question. Sometimes rationalization occurs when we think we know ourselves better than we do. It is also an informal fallacy of reasoning.

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Rationalization

    A defense mechanism operating unconsciously, in which the individual attempts to justify or make consciously tolerable, by plausible means, feelings, behavior, and motives that would otherwise be intolerable.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

  1. rationalization

    Any action that increases the effectiveness of allied forces through more efficient or effective use of defense resources committed to the alliance. Rationalization includes consolidation, reassignment of national priorities to higher alliance needs, standardization, specialization, mutual support or improved interoperability, and greater cooperation. Rationalization applies to both weapons and/or materiel resources and non-weapons military matters.

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce rationalization?

How to say rationalization in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of rationalization in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of rationalization in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of rationalization in a Sentence

  1. Stephen Xenakis:

    Military clinicians, particularly senior medical officers, justify participation in interrogations and force-feeding by asserting that the patient they’re responsible for is the nation and government and not the individual they are supposed to be helping, this assertion, or rationalization, absolutely violates all principles of clinical medicine and healthcare.

  2. Matt Hawkins:

    The large public cannabis companies were overvalued. This is a come-back-to-Earth rationalization.

  3. Roger Stone:

    I don't offer any rationalization or excuse or justification. This is just a stupid lack of judgment.

  4. Erik Prince:

    My advice on Qasem Soleimani -RSB- was correct in 2015 as was my plan for 2018 for rationalization in Afghanistan, the President knows the current Afghan paradigm is fatally flawed. I hope The President soon listens to different voices there too.

  5. Christopher Wong:

    Management is continuing with their rationalization process and no unprofitable sacred cows have been left untouched.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

rationalization#10000#48437#100000

Translations for rationalization

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • racionalizaceCzech
  • RationalisierungGerman
  • tehostaminen, rationaalistaminen, järkeistäminen, päättely, järkiperäistäminen, rationalisointi, järkeily, sieventäminen, perusteluFinnish
  • rationalisationFrench
  • rationalisatieDutch
  • рационализацияRussian

Get even more translations for rationalization »

Translation

Find a translation for the rationalization definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"rationalization." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 Nov. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/rationalization>.

Discuss these rationalization definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for rationalization? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    transmit (a signal) for setting off an appropriate response, as in telecommunication
    A interrogate
    B fudge
    C inspire
    D carry

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for rationalization: