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rationalize

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Rationalize is to attempt to justify something or to make excuses for bad behavior or an unpleasant outcome.

(verb)

When you steal from your friends but justify it based on the theory that they are spoiled and won't notice the money is gone, this is an example of a situation where you rationalize your behavior.

See rationalize in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb rationalized, rationalizing

to make rational; make conform to reason
to explain or interpret on rational grounds
Chiefly Brit. to apply modern methods of efficiency to (an industry, agriculture, etc.)
Math. to remove the radical signs from (an expression) without changing the value
Psychol. to devise superficially rational, or plausible, explanations or excuses for (one's acts, beliefs, desires, etc.), usually without being aware that these are not the real motives

intransitive verb

to think in a rational or rationalistic manner
to rationalize one's acts, beliefs, etc.

Related Forms:

rationalization noun
rationalizer noun

See rationalize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb ra·tion·al·ized, ra·tion·al·iz·ing, ra·tion·al·iz·es

verb, transitive

To make rational.
To interpret from a rational standpoint.
To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for (one's behavior): “Many shoppers still rationalize luxury purchases as investments” (Janice Castro).
Mathematics To remove radicals, such as from a denominator, without changing the value of (an expression) or roots of (an equation).
Chiefly British To bring modern, efficient methods to (an industry, for example).

verb, intransitive