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
Skipping without a valid excuse could land you in hot water, however. Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 5 Sep. 2025 After years of excuses, Instagram is finally available on the iPad. Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
The search for a mote of relatability has led Burt to excuse-making. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 Ans suggests, before politely excusing himself to go do pre-race pull-ups with his brother in the woods across the street. Abe Beame, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for excuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse
Noun
  • The vessel was operating in international waters but that added to the murkiness of the legal justification.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This document, so often a justification for violence, also contains words of reconciliation, of fortitude and healing.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Still, sometimes the heat is impossible to ignore — evident in the small sweat stains on Dinkel’s blue collared shirt.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Carrie Severino, president of the conservative advocacy group Judicial Crisis Network, previously told the Washington Examiner that the justices have made recent orders more explicit and clear as lower court judges have ignored the Supreme Court’s previous orders on its emergency docket.
    Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That explains why the two-perspective structure couldn’t be justified in an episode like this and exposes the weakness of the conceit in the first place.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The excitement may be justified, but so is the concern when regulatory structures fail to keep pace with demand.
    Lindsay O'Neill, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
  • Whatever the reason behind the tradition may be, Swift and Mahomes were all smiles in the Dirty 30 photo as the WAGS prepare to head into football season together and cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For those reasons and more, Rohl’s signing on a season-long loan, with a €20million obligation provided Everton avoid relegation, is intriguing.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For many couples, infidelity is a nonnegotiable breach of trust, never to be forgiven.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Nobody is going to forgive it or pay it for us.
    Letters to the Editor, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Taco Heads, which grew from a West Seventh Street taco truck to a sprawling restaurant overlooking the Cultural District, has a new owner and will be getting a new look.
    Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The homeowner’s suite, comprising a large bedroom, a sitting/dressing room, lots of closet space, and a bathroom with marble vanities, spills onto a deck overlooking the yard.
    Mark David, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The docuseries follows the reality-TV family as Todd and Julie are eventually pardoned, released from prison and return home.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Aug. 2025
  • His administration pardoned roughly 1,500 people charged or convicted in connection with the riot.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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