RATIONALIZING
Scrabble letter values: R1A1T1I1O1N1A1L1I1Z10I1N1G2 = 23
Definition
RATIONALIZING is the present participle of RATIONALIZE.
verb RATIONALIZE: defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning.
Synonyms of RATIONALIZE: apologize, apologise, excuse, rationalise