Main Entry: ra·tio·nal·iza·tion

Variant(s): also British ra·tio·nal·isa·tion \ˌrash-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -ən-^əl-ə-\

Function: noun

: the act, process, or result of rationalizing ; especially : the provision of plausible reasons to explain to oneself or others behavior for which one's real motives are different and unknown or unconscious