as in justifications
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 ignores
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 justifies
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 explains
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 excuses
Reuters 2 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Yes, potential excuses exist, such as the Tigers’ switch to Daniels, a senior Stanford transfer whose tremendous performance (353 yards passing and two touchdowns, 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns) demands the question of why Freeze didn’t turn the offense over to him weeks ago.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
No excuses, but there were two reasons for wearing it.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
No school was willing to provide anything more granular, except by way of excuses.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Of course, reality hasn’t stopped some Republicans from trying to make excuses or generate bizarre explanations.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
His reasons for failures sounded more like excuses.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025
All in all, this fat-tire bruiser delivers pure, unapologetic freedom… with no excuses, and no limits.
—New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025
That’s not surprising, but no excuses.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
When Glenna excuses herself to go check on Lady Ellen, Julia thanks the woman and then proceeds to sneakily follow her straight up to Ellen’s quarters.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
The prosecutor’s spokesperson said Yeo was making excuses that did not make sense about the notes discovered on his mobile phone.
—Reuters 2 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
Yes, potential excuses exist, such as the Tigers’ switch to Daniels, a senior Stanford transfer whose tremendous performance (353 yards passing and two touchdowns, 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns) demands the question of why Freeze didn’t turn the offense over to him weeks ago.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
No excuses, but there were two reasons for wearing it.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
No school was willing to provide anything more granular, except by way of excuses.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Of course, reality hasn’t stopped some Republicans from trying to make excuses or generate bizarre explanations.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
His reasons for failures sounded more like excuses.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025
All in all, this fat-tire bruiser delivers pure, unapologetic freedom… with no excuses, and no limits.
—New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025
That’s not surprising, but no excuses.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Their cry is not against the faith itself but against distorted theology that excuses cruelty.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
When Glenna excuses herself to go check on Lady Ellen, Julia thanks the woman and then proceeds to sneakily follow her straight up to Ellen’s quarters.
—Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuses
Noun
-
To say nothing about the thorny question of its genre—do Eastern European writers need to provide more explanations and justifications when using the technique of autofiction?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Traditionally, one of the key justifications for teamwork has been its psychological benefits—the energy that comes from collaboration, the reduced stress of shared responsibility, the excitement of building on each other’s ideas.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even his handling of deportations—another key part of his election platform—has a 52 percent disapproval rating, as Americans grapple with an ICE force that eschews state regulations, ignores due process rights and acts like the president’s personal army.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Any definition that ignores the role of processing is missing the big picture, says Mozaffarian of Tufts University.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He is set to make $19 million next year, which is far more than his production last year justifies.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Others think that the environmental and public health cost of fossil fuels justifies pushing for a new path forward — like a heavy investment into battery technology.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But as Lilly explains to Ronnie, telling the truth now won’t do anything to absolve Hank — everyone already thinks Lilly is crazy.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
At the train station when Kelley is about to depart, Howie explains his backstory to keep Kelley from leaving.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Human rights organizations have renewed their criticism, airing concerns about the persecution of dissent in a country where more than 800 people are behind bars for political reasons, according to the legal rights organization Foro Penal.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Lea is an Elko protégé and could appeal to PSU for many of the same reasons.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sinnott forgives his parents, and parents today who waver on vaccination.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Still, Alice meets with him and forgives him.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Trump pardons couple in 2025 Julie, 52, was sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, though that sentence was eventually reduced.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
While maintaining a healthy weight plays a role in mitigating cardiovascular and diabetes risk, the measurement alone overlooks the importance of muscle as a predictor of healthy aging and longevity.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The iconic 12th century Ajloun Castle overlooks rolling hills and olive groves, with dramatic panoramas and drone-friendly views.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuses. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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