# rationale vs rationalize

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### rationale
*noun · IPA /ˌɹæʃ.əˈnɑːl/ · frequency rank #14,393*
An explanation of the basis or fundamental reasons for something.

### rationalize
*verb · IPA /ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/ · frequency rank #33,386*
To make something rational or more rational.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationale-vs-rationalize