the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > serve as a motive for > use as a pretext for > use as a pretext (4)
transitive. To allege or put forward (a thing) as a reason or excuse; to use as a pretext. Obsolete.
transitive. To extend in time, protract.
transitive. = pretext, v. 2.
transitive. To use or put forward (a reason) as a pretext or excuse; to pretend, feign.