excuse 1 of 2

noun

ik-ˈskyüs How to pronounce excuse (audio)
Definition of excusenext
as in justification
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame "a really important business call" is no excuse for not paying proper attention to one's driving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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excuse

2 of 2

verb

ik-ˈskyüz How to pronounce excuse (audio)
1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance more often than not, voters are willing to excuse a candidate's youthful indiscretion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
to be an acceptable reason for having a female passenger in labor will generally excuse a little disregard for the speed limit

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to explain
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses he's always excusing his chronic lying by claiming that everybody lies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun excuse contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of excuse are alibi, apologia, apology, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When could alibi be used to replace excuse?

The meanings of alibi and excuse largely overlap; however, alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When might apologia be a better fit than excuse?

While the synonyms apologia and excuse are close in meaning, 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 can apology be used instead of excuse?

Although the words apology and excuse have much in common, 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 would plea be a good substitute for excuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to excuse, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

Where would pretext be a reasonable alternative to excuse?

The words pretext and excuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 excuse
Noun
Not a massive drop, but a good excuse to finally stop letting your kid use your phone to watch cartoons with sticky fingers. TCL Tablet Deals The TCL Tab 10s is for the chill tablet user. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 26 May 2025 After Vladimir said nyet, Trump buckled and made excuses for the Russians. —Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
Verb
According to California Courts, jurors are questioned and excused until 12 qualified individuals are selected who the judge and attorneys agree can fairly and thoughtfully decide the case. —Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2025 When Dismukes excuses himself to go to the bathroom, he’s thrown off by the sight of a Squatty Potty in the couple’s bathroom and spends the rest of the evening spiraling over the idea of his boss’s primal need to poop. —Rima Parikh, Vulture, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for excuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse
  1. justification
  2. ignore
  3. justify
  4. explain
  5. reason
  6. forgive
  7. overlook
  8. pardon
Noun
  • And still others, eyes already on 2028, are quietly offering up preemptive justifications before the blame begins to settle.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
  • The original justification for dropping HBO from HBO Max was to signal a something-for-everyone content cornucopia.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 14 May 2025
Definition of justification
Verb
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    — Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 24 May 2025
  • Employees who feel misunderstood or ignored are more likely to disengage and seek opportunities elsewhere.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
    — Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • By confusing the idea that the people’s will must prevail with what the law actually says, these leaders justify intimidating judges and their sound legal rulings, a move that ultimately undermines democracy.
    — Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 23 May 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • But in the late 19th century, Finkelstein explained, women who'd worked as nurses during the Civil War, even though not part of the Union or Confederate armies, lobbied for and won the right to be buried at Arlington.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • Emma explains that the moment is extra special for her as an adult.
    — Angela Andaloro, People.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of explain
Noun
  • There’s a reason the studio’s nickname is the Magic Kingdom.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 May 2025
  • The reality is that Kevin Durant prioritizes being on the court (75 games two seasons ago) and the only reason his game total was down to 62 this past season was because the Suns shut him down.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • After the season Manchester United has endured, the club’s fans could be forgiven for wanting the campaign to end.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines will not be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • The unlikely trio begins working backward, reexamining the missing person’s case and trying to determine what avenues and signs were previously overlooked.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • Overall, the move to focus on individual risks and benefits may overlook broader public health benefits.
    — Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • In Minnesota, leaders are bracing for the possibility that Trump will pardon Chauvin, who is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences for murder, violating Floyd's constitutional rights and other crimes.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Johnson’s sentence was commuted in 2018, and she was fully pardoned in 2020, but Kardashian seemed unsatisfied with her own level of participation in the process.
    — Christie D’Zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Definition of pardon

Browse Nearby Words

excusably
excuse
excused
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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