rationalization

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This sounds like a standard rationalization made by collectors, as their homes become the stuff of Marie Kondo’s worst nightmares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

“Marketplace is undergoing a rationalization, addition by subtraction, as we reduce our exposure while the risk pool stabilizes,” Zubretsky said, according to a FactSet transcript.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 23, 2025

Most everyone has, at one point or another, tied themselves in rationalization knots to avoid uttering the phrase, "I was wrong."

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2025

At first, his conscience bothers him, but Zare’s performance is a wonder of quiet rationalization as Iman gradually decides that going along is better than making waves.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2024

To the extent this represented a quantitative judgment, it was certainly true; yet in qualitative terms, it may be viewed as a desperate rationalization of a foregone conclusion.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik