alibi 1 of 2

alibi

2 of 2

verb

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
The murders occurred before modern DNA testing and other forensic advances, and Weger has offered various alibis over the years, including during a 2016 prison interview with the Tribune. Christy Gutowski, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 There was still, for law enforcement, the issue regarding Dana Chandler's alibi. Ruth Chenetz, CBS News, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for alibi
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alibi
Noun
  • The party is a perfect excuse for various people in his life to approach him with their own agendas.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
  • As in the never-ending parade of ostensibly Christian exorcism movies, religious belief here seems like a superficial excuse for a stock array of supernatural hoodoo — no matter how many times Chalik’s Abuyya pauses the action to mouth some healing doctrine.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But until recently, Washington rarely invoked the national security justification.
    Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Even if, it must be said, those agreements fly in the face of national security justification for the restrictions.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Had Faas grown to rationalize occasionally changing the credit on photographs over nearly a decade of war?
    Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
  • That situation will have to be rationalized and given some streetside real estate.
    Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • There’s a reason the best legal templates in the startup world are clean, readable, and no more than a few pages long.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • This idea of people disappearing for various reasons became a motif –from the most historical, cruel examples to the daily life cases.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • His desperate attempt at explaining it away is laugh-out-loud funny.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
  • In an Instagram post featuring photos of her, her husband Steven Oleksy, and their twins Oliver and Molly, Brooke explained her reasoning for missing the funeral.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Alibi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alibi. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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