Rationalize

[rash-uh-nl-ahyz, rash-nl-ahyz] /ˈræʃ ə nlˌaɪz, ˈræʃ nlˌaɪz/

verb (used with object), rationalized, rationalizing.
1.
to ascribe (one’s acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that superficially seem reasonable and valid but that actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious and often less creditable or agreeable causes.
2.
to remove unreasonable elements from.
3.
to make or conformable to reason.
4.
to treat or explain in a or manner.
5.
Mathematics. to eliminate radicals from (an equation or expression):
to rationalize the denominator of a fraction.
6.
Chiefly British. to reorganize and integrate (an industry).
verb (used without object), rationalized, rationalizing.
7.
to invent plausible explanations for acts, opinions, etc., that are actually based on other causes:
He tried to prove that he was not at fault, but he was obviously rationalizing.
8.
to employ reason; think in a or manner.
/ˈræʃənəˌlaɪz/
verb
1.
to justify (one’s actions, esp discreditable actions, or beliefs) with plausible reasons, esp after the event
2.
(psychol) to indulge, often unchallenged, in excuses for or explanations of (behaviour about which one feels uncomfortable or guilty)
3.
to apply logic or reason to (something)
4.
to eliminate unnecessary equipment, personnel, or processes from (a group of businesses, factory, etc), in order to make it more efficient
5.
(transitive) (maths) to eliminate one or more radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or the roots of (an equation)
v.

1767, “explain in a rational way, make conformable to reason,” from rational + -ize. In the psychological sense of “to give an explanation that conceals true motives” it dates from 1922. Related: Rationalized; rationalizing.

rationalize ra·tion·al·ize (rāsh’ə-nə-līz’)
v. ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing, ra·tion·al·iz·es

ra’tion·al·i·za’tion (rāsh’ə-nə-lĭ-zā’shən) n.