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alibi

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of alibi

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 of alibi

apology, defense, excuse, justification, plea, reason
Words Related to alibi

color, guise, pretense (or pretence), pretext, rationale, rationalization, vindication, whitewash

cop-out, out

acknowledgment (or acknowledgement), atonement, confession

extenuation, palliation

Synonym Discussion of alibi

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. 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
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
excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.
    • used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting
plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.
    • her usual plea that she was nearsighted
pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.
    • used any pretext to get out of work
alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.
    • his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Learn More about alibi

  1. See words that rhyme with alibi Dictionary: Definition of alibi Spanish Central: Translation of alibi Nglish: Translation of alibi for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alibi for Arabic speakers

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