rationalize

(verb) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning. Synonyms: apologize, apologise, excuse, justify, rationalise. Examples: "Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior." "He rationalized his lack of success."

(verb) weed out unwanted or unnecessary things. Synonyms: cut, prune, rationalise. Example: "We had to lose weight, so we cut the sugar from our diet."

(verb) structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results. Synonyms: rationalise. Example: "We rationalized the factory's production and raised profits."

(verb) think rationally; employ logic or reason. Synonyms: rationalise. Example: "When one wonders why one is doing certain things, one should rationalize."

(verb) remove irrational quantities from. Synonyms: rationalise. Example: "This function can be rationalized."