RATIONALIZATIONS Synonyms: 21 Similar Words

rationalizations

noun

plural of rationalization

as in pretexts

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for rationalizations

Noun

Pages and pages have been written on this passage, seeking out its ideological subtext, its historical context and its intellectual pretexts in classical and early modern thought.

— New York Times, New York Times, 9 June 2026
The Kremlin is making false accusations that could be used in the future as pretexts for military attacks.

— Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Definition of pretexts

Noun

For Mary Kay, the latter of these rationales seems to have been clothed in the guise of the former, though the precise catalyst for establishing her own outfit remains indeterminate.

— Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

— Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Definition of rationales

Noun

Johnson created the story of Nancy (Emilia Jones), who is not a girlfriend, but a crush who Bourdain foolhardily (and under false pretenses) follows to Provincetown after not getting a writing fellowship.

— Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2026
Trimpey also faces a felony charge of obtaining money by false pretenses.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of pretenses

Noun

For Bondele, the explanations have done little to ease the uncertainty.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Signage, register prompts, receipts and employee explanations all shape whether customers view rounding as a reasonable adjustment or another example of being nickel-and-dimed.

— Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of explanations

Noun

Echoing Turkey’s justifications for its contentious S-400 acquisition completed the year before, which led a ban from the F-35 program and CAATSA sanctions slapped on Ankara, Iraqi officials claimed America offered no viable alternative.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
And in many cases, the same justifications elucidated by Douglass remain.

— Jacob Ware, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

Definition of justifications

Noun

That argument, however, did not go far with Hall, nor did his other arguments.

— Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Similarly, Sweeney was unpersuaded by NCAA legal arguments that, as a private, membership association, it is owed deference in making business judgments before findings of antitrust liability.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of arguments

Noun

Someone who bought a Powerball ticket at a Front Range grocery store this week has many, many reasons to celebrate – 500,000 reasons before tax, to be exact.

— Katie Langford, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
Maresca knows that some players need a fresh start for various reasons, which is why James Trafford moved on, despite his close relationship with the Italian from their time together in the under-23s.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of reasons

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“Rationalizations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rationalizations. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rationalizations

noun

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