rationalize
[verb]
Synonyms: justify, account for, excuse, vindicate

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

ra‧tion‧al‧ize AC (also rationalise British English) /ˈræʃənəlaɪz/ verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: rationality ≠ irrationality, rationale, rationalism, rationalist, rationalization; adjective: rational ≠ irrational, rationalist; verb: rationalize; adverb: rationally ≠ irrationally]

1. if you rationalize behaviour that is wrong, you invent an explanation for it so that it does not seem as bad:
When he fouls up, Glen always finds a way to rationalize what he’s done.

2. British English to make a business more effective by removing unnecessary workers, equipment etc:
Our systems will be rationalized over the coming months.
—rationalization /ˌræʃənəlaɪˈzeɪʃən $ -lə-/ noun [uncountable and countable]:
a major rationalization of the aircraft industry

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲