alibi 1 of 2

noun

ˈa-lə-ˌbī How to pronounce alibi (audio)
Definition of alibinext
as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame a student who always has a very creative alibi for undone homework or late papers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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alibi

2 of 2

verb

as in to account (for)

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun alibi contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alibi are apologia, apology, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When can apologia be used instead of alibi?

The words apologia and alibi are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When is apology a more appropriate choice than alibi?

The words apology and alibi can be used in similar contexts, but apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

When is it sensible to use excuse instead of alibi?

While in some cases nearly identical to alibi, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When would plea be a good substitute for alibi?

While the synonyms plea and alibi are close in meaning, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

In what contexts can pretext take the place of alibi?

In some situations, the words pretext and alibi are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of alibi
Noun
She was stoned and trying to alibi Reed, but Harry wrote her off as a lying druggie. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 3 Jan. 2025 When faced with having to alibi to their spouses, Fiona and Bob, unbeknown to each other, involve a young couple, William and Mary Featherstone (Benjamin Cole and Noelle Marion). —David Coddon, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Verb
Lumumba was released two weeks later after his alibi was corroborated, according to People. —Giana Levy, Variety, 21 Aug. 2025 Margo has effectively shot Sophie's alibi to hell, telling the police story that left Sophie alone for hours on the night of the murder. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for alibi
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alibi
  1. excuse
  2. justification
  3. rationalize
  4. reason
  5. explain
Noun
  • Investors don’t need another earnings call filled with excuses about macro headwinds when the rest of the industry is growing.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • To open flat is without excuse, given the setting.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • Lin compared Russia’s justification for the war to the messaging of China, noting expansionist aspirations in both countries.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But Gonzalez-Bueno took aim at this justification, suggesting the creation of a banking giant controlling nearly 25% of the domestic market would backfire.
    — Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of justification
Verb
  • This guy needs to do some serious soul searching to rationalize his life existence.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
  • The smarter approach is to rationalize those systems and refocus spending on solutions that reduce both financial and operational overhead.
    — Leslie Milne, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Definition of rationalize
Noun
  • In many cases, the two reasons amount to the same thing, with the same cause.
    — Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • At each camp, the team leaves behind a small but powerful item, a red card that explains what to do during encounters with immigration officials.
    — David Rodriguez Muñoz, Freep.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The powers that be explained to me that in the audiobook, there would be no easy way to identify the bees’ chapters, which were designated with italics in the printed version, unless the narrator’s voice changed from female to male.
    — Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of explain

Browse Nearby Words

aliases
alibi
alibied
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Cite this Entry

“Alibi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alibi. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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