What does irrationalize mean?
Irrationalize is a relatively uncommon but precise transitive verb meaning to make something irrational, unreasonable, or seemingly devoid of rational justification. It normally takes an abstract object—a decision, argument, fear, policy, or supposed explanation—and describes a process by which logic is displaced or obscured. For example, a speaker may irrationalize a difficult policy question by reducing it to emotion and slogans. The word is especially useful when the object of the criticism is not the conclusion itself but the manner in which reasoning has been made unsound. In contrast to rationalize, which can mean either to make something reasonable or to offer a plausible justification, irrationalize explicitly marks the introduction of irrationality. Although often critical, it can also be used analytically to describe how rhetoric or perception is distorted. The word appears more often in formal or analytical prose than in everyday conversation.
verbTo make something irrational, unreasonable, or seemingly devoid of rational justification.
- To render something irrational, unreasonable, or apparently without rational justification.
"The advertisement was designed to irrationalize consumer fears by exaggerating the risks."
"The advertisement was designed to irrationalize consumer fears by exaggerating the risks."
"The board must not irrationalize the decision by relying on instinct rather than evidence."
Sometimes the tongue-in-cheek opposite of rationalize is not to explain a decision, but to irrationalize it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does irrationalize come from?
The English verb was formed by adding the verbal suffix -ize to the adjective irrational, producing a transitive verb meaning “to make irrational.” Irrational ultimately derives from Latin irrationalis, “not rational” or “unreasonable,” containing the negative prefix in- and belonging to a family related to ratio, the Latin noun for “reason, proportion, or calculation.” The verb follows the productive English -ize pattern, while its meaning preserves the opposition between irrationality and rational argument.
Related word forms
How irrationalize is actually used
The spelling irrationalize is standard in US English, while irrationalise is the usual British variant. The verb is relatively uncommon and tends to occur in formal, critical, or analytical prose. It normally takes an abstract object, such as a decision, argument, fear, or explanation.
Easily confused with irrationalize
Rationalize can mean to make something reasonable or to provide a plausible justification for it, whereas irrationalize means to make something unreasonable or logically unsound.