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1. (psychiatry) a defence mechanism by which your true motivation is concealed by explaining your actions and feelings in a way that is not threatening
   - rationalization
    
2. The cognitive process of making something seem consistent with or based on reason
   - rationalization
    
3. (mathematics) the simplification of an expression or equation by eliminating radicals without changing the value of the expression or the roots of the equation
   - rationalization
    
4. The organization of a business according to scientific principles of management in order to increase efficiency
   - rationalization
    
5. Systematic organization; the act of organizing something according to a system or a rationale
   - systematization, systematisation [Brit], rationalization

Derived forms: rationalisations

Type of: defence [Brit, Cdn], defence mechanism [Brit, Cdn], defence reaction [Brit, Cdn], defense [US], defense mechanism [US], defense reaction [US], explanation, organisation [Brit], organization, simplification

Encyclopedia: Rationalisation