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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of excuse
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Oh, sure, Lego might need space for new sets, and stores likewise, but that's no excuse to rob builders of the best Lego Star Wars sets, especially with Star Wars' 50th anniversary next year.
—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
24 June 2026
Literary Hub,
15 June 2026
This doesn’t excuse his absence or his treatment of my mother.
—
Matthew Alemu,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for excuse
Noun
There’s no longer an excuse for players in this NIL era to retain eligibility and remain in the second round.
—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
24 June 2026
Oh, sure, Lego might need space for new sets, and stores likewise, but that's no excuse to rob builders of the best Lego Star Wars sets, especially with Star Wars' 50th anniversary next year.
—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
24 June 2026
Verb
Did America’s grandeur excuse his own?
—
Literary Hub,
15 June 2026
This doesn’t excuse his absence or his treatment of my mother.
—
Matthew Alemu,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for excuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse
Noun
-
There's no justification for this.
-
There's no doubt that the media played an inordinate role in allowing COVID-19 mandates and restrictions to start, expand, and continue well beyond any reasonable justification.
Verb
-
Price is where almost every search starts, and the difference between countries is hard to ignore.
-
By the time the sponsor wants to sell, the buyer sees what the sponsor ignored.
Verb
-
This looser-fitting top sits right at the waistband and is made of a durable nylon and elastane blend that resists wear and tear (justifying the price point).
-
Whatever happens for the remainder of this World Cup cannot be used to justify a system that has nothing to do with development, or kids playing sports.
Verb
-
Watching the hearing via Zoom from a prison holding room, Powell wiped his eyes and sighed heavily as Cribbs once again recited the facts of the case before Judge Rachelle Carnesale, explaining when Walton was fatally shot.
-
When the Dodgers played here last month, a fan posted a picture of the menu board and explained what FTD stood for.
Noun
-
There are good reasons to do so again, though as contenders acquiring young talent is not a necessity for the Pacers.
-
However, Gen Zers also cited reasons for not finding such meaning.
Verb
-
Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
-
Philodendrons are easy and forgiving enough for beginners, but even more experienced gardeners love them for their variety of foliage and easy care.
Verb
-
Alongside the communal dining, lounge and bar areas, is a clever subterranean wine cellar, an outdoor BBQ and dining area overlooking the riverbed, and a deck in the perfect spot for viewing the waterhole.
-
The kitchen, with room for a table that can handle informal dining, is open to the family room, where the visual focal points are the stone fireplace and French doors that lead to an elevated deck overlooking the in-ground pool and property at the rear of the home.
Verb
-
Trump pardoned Lyman in December 2020.
-
Perhaps the most high-profile person convicted under the law was Hunter Biden, former President Joe Biden's son, though he was pardoned by his father in December 2024.
Cite this Entry
“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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