weed out unwanted or unnecessary things; "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet"

structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results; "We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits"

to eliminate unnecessary employees, equipment, processes, etc. from a company or factory to make it more efficient.

To use, and rely on, reason in forming a theory, belief, etc., especially in matters of religion: to accord with the principles of rationalism.

to pretend that one’s desires are caused by impartial reasoning.

defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"

To render rational; to free from radical signs or quantities.

remove irrational quantities from; "This function can be rationalized"

To interpret in the manner of a rationalist.

To form a rational conception of.

To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism.