What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rationalizing
Example
She was rationalizing her decision to quit her job by saying that it was for the sake of her mental health. [rationalizing: verb]
Example
He was rationalizing his fear of flying by citing statistics about airplane safety. [rationalizing: present participle]
justify
Example
He tried to justify his lateness by saying that there was heavy traffic on the way. [justify: verb]
Example
The study's findings justified the need for further research in the field. [justified: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Justify is more commonly used than rationalizing in everyday language, as it is more versatile and can be used in various contexts. Rationalizing is less common and is often associated with a negative connotation of making excuses or avoiding responsibility.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rationalizing and justify?
Justify is more formal than rationalizing, as it is often used in academic or professional settings to provide evidence or support for an argument or decision. Rationalizing, on the other hand, is more commonly used in informal contexts and may not be appropriate in formal writing or speaking.
