/'ræʃnəlaɪz; `ræʃənl,aɪz/
v
1 [I, Tn] (try to) justify (one's actions, emotions, etc) by giving a rational explanation for them （试图）使（自己的行动、情感等）有合理依据
*He's constantly rationalizing. 他总是不断反省是否言行合理.
* She rationalized her decision to abandon her baby by saying she could not afford to keep it. 她为抛弃婴儿事辩称自己抚养不起.
2 [Tn] make (sth) more logical and consistent 使（某事物）更合理、更一致
*an attempt to rationalize English spelling 使英语拼法更趋合理的做法.
3 [Tn] reorganize (a process, an industry, etc) in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste （为提高效率、降低损耗而）改进（工序、产业等）; 使合理化
*rationalize production, distribution, etc 使生产、分配等合理化.

v [I and T]
if you rationalize behaviour that is wrong, you invent an explanation for it so that it does not seem as bad
　When he fouls up, Glen always finds a way to rationalize what he's done.
BrE to make a business more effective by removing unnecessary workers, equipment etc
　Our systems will be rationalized over the coming months.
>rationalization [,ræʃənəlaɪ'zeɪʃən (US) -lə-/