rationalize

动词 rationalize:

1. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
   同义词：apologize, apologise, excuse, justify, rationalise
2. weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
   同义词：cut, prune, rationalise
3. structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
   同义词：rationalise
4. think rationally; employ logic or reason
   同义词：rationalise
5. remove irrational quantities from
   同义词：rationalise

1. He's constantly rationalizing.
   他总是不断反省是否言行合理。
2. She rationalized her decision to abandon her baby by saying she could not afford to keep it.
   她为抛弃婴儿事辩称自己抚养不起。

ra.tion.al.ize

v.（动词）
ra.tion.al.ized,ra.tion.al.iz.ing,ra.tion.al.iz.es
v.tr.（及物动词）
To make rational.
使合理，理性化
To interpret from a rational standpoint.
阐释：从理性角度出发进行解释
To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for (one`s behavior).
文过饰非：（为自己的行为）编造出一个自己满意但实际上错误的借口
Mathematics To remove radicals without changing the value of (an expression) or roots of (an equation).
【数学】 给…消根：去掉表达式或方程中的根号，但不改变表达式的值或方程的根
Chiefly British To bring modern, efficient methods to (an industry, for example).
【多用于英国】 合理化改革：将现代化的高效率的方法（引入到例如工业等事业中）
v.intr.（不及物动词）
To think in a rational or rationalistic way.
作理性思考：用符合逻辑或经过合理化后的方法进行思考
To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for one`s behavior.
自圆其说：制造一个自我满意，但实际上错误的理由为自己的行为辩护

【引伸】
ra.tionaliz.er
n.（名词）