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
Relevance
as in to account (for)
Related Words
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 alibi
Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Despite three family members vouching for his alibi, Ruiz was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 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, Baker's boyfriend, later identified as Chris Melton, per The Red & Black, was ruled out after passing a polygraph and providing an alibi.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Despite three family members vouching for his alibi, Ruiz was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 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
-
His excuses ranged from being too cold, to not having his phone or watch on him, to being a chill person who doesn’t like to show up early to the tee.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
So there’s no excuse not to finalize this deal promptly regardless of whether that induces a hissy fit from United Here and the Chicago Federation of Labor.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
But Brandt’s justification for why the game should be played in Denver — which was parroted by Broncos fans — wasn’t rooted in reality.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
Rebellion ‘is a good thing’ The Trumplicans’ justification for their One Big Beautiful Bill was that tariffs would offset any lost tax revenue.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
After years spent diversifying its low-end components and moving electronics down from the high end to the middle of its range, Shimano has finally decided to rationalize everything.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
-
At first, these moments can feel easy to rationalize.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
For this reason, the tent was constructed in such a way that the crowd could see and hear the girls, but the girls could not see the crowd, a one-way mirror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Food and drink The food and beverages are reason alone to come here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Vrabel, meanwhile, stumbled though multiple press conferences while trying to both avoid and explain the issue without ever really providing details.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
This may explain why credit markets barely budged after last week’s spending figures.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Alibi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alibi. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
