| rationalize(verb, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| reason(verb, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| conclude |
| think through(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| account for(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| apply logic(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| cogitate |
| cop a plea(expression, idiom, deliberate, excuse, justify) |
| cop out(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| educe |
| elucidate(deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| excise(deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| excogitate |
| excuse(deliberate, justify, vindicate) |
| explain away(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| extenuate(deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| give alibi(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| intellectualize(deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| make allowance(expression, deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |
| reconcile(deliberate, excuse, justify, vindicate) |