rationalize

(eg. house, quote, vexed )

rationalize /ˈræ ʃə nə ˌlaɪz/ ?

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(v) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
(v) weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
(v) structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results
(v) think rationally; employ logic or reason
(v) remove irrational quantities from

But the Taliban has become so dependent on Bin Laden's own forces and men loyal to him that they may struggle to rationalize giving him up without facing internal disintegration.
Still, he acknowledges such public statements are hard to rationalize.
It was easier to rationalize if you told yourself you weren't buying a gadget you were buying art! That's not a local phenomenon, by the way.

"What we all do, because we're human beings, we rationalize that next year won't be like this," said Calhoun, who turns 67 next month. "And you know what? Next year keeps getting tougher and tougher and tougher because of all the other things...
on Apr 3, 2009 By: Jim Calhoun Source: Washington Post
He wasn't entirely truthful when he first met with prosecutors and FBI agents in 2004, Radler added, because he "was trying to rationalize some of the transactions - I was fighting back."
on May 9, 2007 By: David Radler Source: Brooks Bulletin
"Sun's technical and financial strength puts us in a great position to act as a consolidator in the IT industry. This acquisition is part of an ongoing strategy to respond to customers seeking to rationalize their datacenter purchases - to free up...
on Jun 2, 2005 By: Scott McNealy Source: Finextra (press release)