rationalizers
Those defending choices
Rationalizers are people who construct reasons or justifications for beliefs, actions, or feelings that may not reflect their true motivations.
The term carries a mildly critical edge, suggesting self-deception or excuse-making rather than genuine reasoning.
The rationalizers convinced themselves the budget cuts were necessary, ignoring their real desire to eliminate the program.
In psychology, rationalizers engage in a defense mechanism that protects the ego from uncomfortable truths.
Those who shield others
- vindicatorsThose who prove innocence
- apologistsThose who defend beliefs
- advocatesThose who support causes
- legitimizersThose who make valid
explainers · mitigators · self-justifiers · protectors · pleaders · clarifiers · spokespersons
Those who defend decisions
- apologistsThose who defend beliefs
- deflectorsSurfaces that redirect forces
- scapegoatersThose who unfairly blame others
- whitewashersThose who disguise wrongdoing
equivocators · evaders · minimizers · dodgers · fabricators · obfuscators · quibblers · hair-splitters
Those who reject claims
- fantasizersThose who indulge imagination
- pretendersThose falsely claiming something
- compartmentalizersThose who isolate concerns
- avoidersThose who evade
Unjustified certainty in oneself
- anchoringFastening securely to position
- cherry-pickingChoosing only supporting examples
Powered household equipment
- electronicsStudy of circuits
- rectifiersAC-to-DC converters
- invertersPower transformation devices
- transformersVoltage-altering electrical devices
defenders
Those who shield others
- vindicatorsThose who prove innocence
- apologistsThose who defend beliefs
- advocatesThose who support causes
legitimizers · explainers · mitigators · self-justifiers · protectors · pleaders · clarifiers · spokespersons
justifiers
Those who defend decisions
- apologistsThose who defend beliefs
- deflectorsSurfaces that redirect forces
- scapegoatersThose who unfairly blame others
whitewashers · equivocators · evaders · minimizers · dodgers · fabricators · obfuscators · quibblers · hair-splitters · sidestepping
deniers
Those who reject claims
- fantasizersThose who indulge imagination
- pretendersThose falsely claiming something
- compartmentalizersThose who isolate concerns
overconfidence
Unjustified certainty in oneself
- anchoringFastening securely to position
- cherry-pickingChoosing only supporting examples
appliances
Powered household equipment
- electronicsStudy of circuits
- rectifiersAC-to-DC converters
- invertersPower transformation devices
transformers · adapters · circuits · stabilizers · modulators
- truth avoidersdeniers, avoiders, deflectors, obfuscators, gaslighters