# rationalize

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/ · frequency rank #33,386

## Definitions
1. To make something rational or more rational.
2. To justify a discreditable act, or irrational behaviour.
3. To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.
4. To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles. This often includes eliminating duplication and grouping like or similar items.

## Etymology
From French rationaliser. By surface analysis, rational + -ize.

## Easily confused with
- **rationale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationale-vs-rationalize)
- **rationality** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationality-vs-rationalize)
- **rationalism** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationalism-vs-rationalize)
- **rationalist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rationalist-vs-rationalize)

## Common misspellings (15)
`artionalize`, `raitonalize`, `ratinoalize`, `ratioanlize`, `rationailze`, `rationaliez`, `rationalizze`, `rationallize`, `rationalzie`, `rationlaize`, `rationnalize`, `ratoinalize`, `rattionalize`, `rrationalize`, `rtaionalize`

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