Crossword Genius

Explanation making a relation look silly (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rationale

'explanation' is the definition.
(rationale is a kind of explanation)

'a relation look silly' is the wordplay.
'look silly' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'a'+'relation'='arelation'
'arelation' with letters rearranged gives 'RATIONALE'.

'making' is the link.

(Other definitions for rationale that I've seen before include "Motivation" , "explanation" , "Reasoned exposition" , "Good reason" , "Logic, reasoning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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