explain vs rationalize

explain

verb
  • To make something plain or intelligible. 

  • To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to illustrate the meaning of. 

  • To give a valid excuse for past behavior. 

rationalize

verb
  • To make something rational or more rational. 

  • To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation. 

  • To justify an immoral act, or illogical behaviour. “The process of thought by which one justifies a discreditable act, and by which one offers to oneself and the world a better motive for one's action than the true motive” 

  • To structure something along modern, efficient and systematic lines, or according to scientific principles. This often includes eliminating duplication and grouping like or similar items. 

How often have the words explain and rationalize occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )