excuse 1 of 2

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

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
In February, Apple launched its first cellular modem in the iPhone 16e, another hardware change that could give it an excuse to adjust pricing in future models. Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 14 May 2025 In this case, America was not a figure of authority — merely a good excuse. Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
Verb
Nearly 50 potential jurors have been questioned over the last two days, with slightly more than half remaining in the jury pool and the rest excused for various reasons. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 6 May 2025 While some had solemn reasons for being excused — such as concern whether past trauma could impact listening to disturbing testimony — others’ comments made for courtroom comedy. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for excuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse
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
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
  • Despite California having the Public Records Act and existing case law that bolsters the public’s right to know, Olson said that bureaucrats in many public institutions ignore the case law.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
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
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
  • As a condition of invitation to the festival, breweries must have a brewer in attendance to answer questions and explain their beers.
    Don Tse, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Early reactions to the live-action remake note the film's inclusion of iconic original moments as a key reason for its success.
    Sharareh Drury, People.com, 26 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeatedly point to Trump's election as a reason for the recruiting rebound.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Barack Obama faced injunctions against Obamacare and Joe Biden's plan to forgive student loans was blocked.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The Chiefs’ leader will have celebrated his 30th birthday when Arrowhead rolls out the red-and-gold carpet for Jayden Daniels & Co., but given the weird dilation of post-COVID time and the Chiefs’ watery ubiquity, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Mahomes went to high school with Sid Luckman.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The priest and academic believes Pope Leo XIV will in many ways follow the trajectory of Pope Francis, showing a similar commitment to care for immigrants, refugees and others who are often overlooked or disparaged.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • One factor that is often overlooked is that the speech must be deliverable.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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