has been rationalizing

• present perfect progressive

  present perfect progressive

  Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.

  of rationalize (3rd person singular).
  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.

Related Words

• justify