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
Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
There can be no excuses because the general team performance against mid-table Fulham had plenty in common with those that had gone before it.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
But the 49ers have gone without key players all season and there is no sense in making excuses now.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
But those excuses are already falling flat.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
Trump celebrates, excuses, and pardons.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Still, McMillan, who woke up congested, refused to make excuses, even with an uncharacteristic output.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Then, his first paycheck was late, and the excuses started.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
No excuses, but there were two reasons for wearing it.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Nick excuses the killing of Renee Good for blocking traffic, but the videos clearly show that traffic was going around her.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Researchers emphasized that none of these conditions excuses Hitler’s actions or policies.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
The excuses have more to do with political expediency and gas lobbying than reality.
—Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
There can be no excuses because the general team performance against mid-table Fulham had plenty in common with those that had gone before it.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
But the 49ers have gone without key players all season and there is no sense in making excuses now.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
But those excuses are already falling flat.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
Trump celebrates, excuses, and pardons.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Still, McMillan, who woke up congested, refused to make excuses, even with an uncharacteristic output.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Then, his first paycheck was late, and the excuses started.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
No excuses, but there were two reasons for wearing it.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
There may have been grains of truth in his complaints—Denmark’s neglect of the island, America’s long-standing interest in acquiring it, the implications of new sea lanes as its ice melts, the rising importance of security in the Arctic—but nothing excuses Trump’s behavior or language.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Nick excuses the killing of Renee Good for blocking traffic, but the videos clearly show that traffic was going around her.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Researchers emphasized that none of these conditions excuses Hitler’s actions or policies.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025
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
-
In a somewhat baffling aside that failed to meet the moment, Jordan Klepper popped in, supposedly live from Minneapolis, to satirize the ever-shifting goalposts of the administration’s justifications for Pretti’s death.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Under current law, notwithstanding forthcoming Supreme Court decisions, the president can impose tariffs under sweeping justifications like national security or other emergency powers.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Jan. 2026
-
That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Don DeWitte,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Satisfy gets a lot of flack for its prices, but this running jacket justifies the price tag thanks to its effective modularity and (extremely) lightweight design.—
Will Porter,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
-
While there are legitimate concerns throughout the Midwest about future reliability due to new data centers and their substantial power consumption, there is no looming emergency that justifies the administration’s action here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Accidental ingestion is safe for healthy adults, says Wang, who explains that the hard outer coating of citrus seeds prevents the release of potential toxins, allowing the seeds to pass through the body undigested.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Carmi explains that progress was not linear for him, but the journey still feels well worth the challenges.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For these reasons, snow mushrooms are a good choice for dry skin but can also be appropriate for all skin types.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the forklift program stands out for many reasons.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The bottom line There is no federal program that directly forgives or restructures credit card debt, but that doesn't mean borrowers are stuck.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Sinnott forgives his parents, and parents today who waver on vaccination.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
May 29 — In one of many conciliatory moves toward the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a guns conviction.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll After years of struggle and transformation, country musician Jelly Roll was pardoned by Tennessee’s governor for his criminal past in the state.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Each of the 280 swim-up suites overlooks the sea, while special themed suites intersect luxury and whimsy.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Afterward, retreat to the nearby Casa Palmero, The Inn at Spanish Bay or The Lodge at Pebble Beach, which overlooks the dramatic 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links, arguably golf’s greatest finishing hole.—
Katie Sweeney,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Excuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuses. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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