Rationalizing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of providing logical reasoning for decisions and actions that appear unwarranted highlights an effort to justify personal choices or beliefs
2. This involves the method of formulating excuses or explanations that make questionable actions seem reasonable or acceptable
3. The process of explaining or justifying actions, beliefs, or decisions by using logical reasoning, often to make them appear more acceptable or valid

Etymology: "Rationalizing" is the present participle of "rationalize," which has a more interesting past than its simple parts suggest. The verb came into English from French "rationaliser," and its underlying roots are Latin "ratio," meaning reason or calculation, plus the suffix "-ize," which turns a noun into a verb meaning to make or treat in a certain way. So at its core, to rationalize something is to make it conform to reason. That core sense is still visible in its older uses, where rationalizing meant reducing a problem to rational terms, or making a messy process orderly and efficient, as in industries reorganizing their methods. The modern sense of offering plausible-sounding reasons for a choice you have already made, often one that is questionable, grew out of the idea that reasoning can be bent toward a conclusion you already wanted. The meaning shifted from reasoning well to reasoning after the fact.

Synonyms: justifying, explain

Antonyms: irrationalizing