rationalization
n.the process of explaining why you did something in a way that makes it seem logical or reasonable. It is often used when you try to justify a decision that you know is not the best one.
n.the process of providing a logical explanation for a decision or behavior, especially one that may be based on irrational or unconscious motives. In economics, it refers to the adjustment of prices to reflect their true market value.
“He made a rationalization for why he missed the meeting.”
“The company's rationalization of its global supply chain led to significant cost savings but also some job losses.”
“While the CEO's rationalization for the merger focused on market expansion, internal documents suggested the primary motive was to prevent a hostile takeover by a rival firm.”
“Back in 1983, American sociologist George Ritzer introduced the concept of the "McDonaldization" of society to explain the business rationalization of moving the design process toward faster, easier-to-manage, cheaper and more predictable outcomes.”
First attested in 1831. From French rationalisation, equivalent to rational + -ization or rationalize + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.