had been rationalizing

• past perfect progressive

  past perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.

  of rationalize.
  rationalize

  verb (used with object)

  to ascribe (one's acts, opinions, etc.) to causes that superficially seem reasonable and valid but that actually are unrelated to the true, possibly unconscious and often less creditable or agreeable causes.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

had been rationalizing

He had been rationalizing his behavior by saying that his wife was not giving him the attention he needed.

From New York Times ● May 16, 2023

Related Words

• justify