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
  • Lin compared Russia’s justification for the war to the messaging of China, noting expansionist aspirations in both countries.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But Gonzalez-Bueno took aim at this justification, suggesting the creation of a banking giant controlling nearly 25% of the domestic market would backfire.
    Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That many in the media have ignored the unit’s rise is an indictment.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Amid all its glorious and aesthetic architecture lies the massive environmental impact that cannot be ignored.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 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
  • In many cases, the two reasons amount to the same thing, with the same cause.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The second reason is that these aura battler designs were very complex and full of curves as well as weird angles.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 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
  • Polish state media also reported that Polish nationals have been pardoned.
    Darya Tarasova, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In the end, Frizer was found to have acted in self-defense and officially pardoned by the Queen.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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