RATIONALIZE

verb (-ized; -izing) Date: 1803 transitive verb to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: as, to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of , to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and especially unconscious motives , to free (a mathematical expression) from irrational parts , to apply the principles of scientific management to (as an industry or its operations) for a desired result (as increased efficiency), intransitive verb to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct, rationalizable adjective rationalization noun ~r noun