rationalization

/ˌræʃənəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ noun C2

A statement of one's motives, or of the causes of some event. (countable, uncountable) · Her self-flagellating rationalization for the theft was mostly ignored by the jury.
The reorganization of a company or organization in order to improve its efficiency through the reallocation of resources and changes in its workforce. (countable, uncountable) · It began with the familiar political motives of civil service rationalization and downsizing.
The concealment of true motivation in some non-threatening way. (countable, uncountable)
The simplification of an expression without changing its value. (countable, uncountable) · Here, the rationalization of the denominator was unnecessary.

Plural rationalizations

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From the library

Any sentence that attempts to explain away the underlying motivation for the offense immediately transforms the apology into a defensive rationalization.

The Art of the Apology, p. 1 · C2

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