as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame
a student who always has a very creative alibi for undone homework or late papers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to account (for)
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of alibi
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 6 Jan. 2026
Well, the cover story started out as a mayo commercial, but knowing he’d be gone for a while, Jake amended the alibi to a feature-length film.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
She was stoned and trying to alibi Reed, but Harry wrote her off as a lying druggie.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alibi
Noun
However, when Ben winds up dead, only one of the two women has an airtight alibi.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 6 Jan. 2026
Well, the cover story started out as a mayo commercial, but knowing he’d be gone for a while, Jake amended the alibi to a feature-length film.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Verb
Trying to explain his incontinent sucking-up to the hack lifer Scott Bosworth, Fish tries to alibi for at least some of his incontinent missives.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
She was stoned and trying to alibi Reed, but Harry wrote her off as a lying druggie.
—Nick Caruso, TVLine, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alibi
Recent Examples of Synonyms for alibi
Noun
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Even though most job cuts don’t appear to be tied to AI automation, companies are using the technology as an excuse to make routine headcount reductions, according to management experts.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Then again, someone like Charli doesn’t exactly need an excuse to embrace the theatrical.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Past administrations offered legal and moral justifications for military inventions, such as the Bush administration’s claims that Iraq was a just war.—
Gerard F. Powers,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, the House lawmakers who reviewed unredacted versions of the Epstein files yesterday say at least six powerful figures were improperly shielded without clear legal justification.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Lisa Simon, chief economist at Revelio Labs, which collects and analyzes public labor market data, also suspects that some companies are pointing to their use of AI to rationalize layoffs.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
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If margins continue to grow alongside revenue, the current low multiple becomes increasingly difficult to rationalize.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gordon pointed to a January study published in the journal Science as highlighting the reason behind the decline in overdose deaths.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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My sense is that the reason for this disconnect—the loss of power that faith traditions and philosophies once had to influence progressive movements—is that so much of it is digital now.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Whitwam explains that Catalina mule deer hunting was traditionally reserved for island residents and their guests, or hunters who were willing to book with a local guide.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
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Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alibi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alibi. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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