excuse 1 of 2

noun

ik-ˈskyüs How to pronounce excuse (audio)
Definition of excusenext
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

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excuse

2 of 2

verb

ik-ˈskyüz How to pronounce excuse (audio)
1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance more often than not, voters are willing to excuse a candidate's youthful indiscretion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to justify
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 to explain
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses he's always excusing his chronic lying by claiming that everybody lies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Hoping to out-Elon Elon, Gov. Ron DeSantis saddled up and brought out his own little DOGE-y last week, a prancing pony of an excuse for real governing. —Pat Beall, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025 Is Dansby Swanson primed for a rebound Swanson is never one to make excuses for his performance, even when dealing with a publicly unknown injury. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
While the schools initially allowed students to be excused when the books were read in class, officials said that became too disruptive and difficult to administer. —Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025 Adams was excused from appearing at future proceedings. —April Rubin, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for excuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse
  1. justification
  2. ignore
  3. justify
  4. explain
  5. reason
  6. forgive
  7. overlook
  8. pardon
Noun
  • Yet to those who didn’t live through the Dončić experience — the front office executives, coaches and scouts who would love nothing more than to get their hands on a player of his ilk — all these justifications for the trade simply don’t compute.
    — Sam Amick, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Floridians may preregister to vote at age 16 and request vote-by-mail ballots with no justification needed.
    — Stephen C. Phillips, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of justification
Verb
  • But in the 1990s, when social practice art was gaining traction within European museums (especially in the United Kingdom), most Latin American institutions were ignoring that development, which remained limited to underground networks.
    — Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
  • And no, not because Disney is ignoring him or passing him over.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Recent Inflation Trends The FOMC had been hoping inflation would trend closer to its 2% annual target to justify further rate cuts.
    — Simon Moore, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But does his bat even justify that? Domínguez has one hit in seven at-bats so far this spring.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Huntsville Police Sergeant Christopher Jackson explained how the law specifically targets those who deliberately modify their vehicles to be louder.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Jones explained how an unfair deal between the platform’s co-founders Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, and Cam, led to the iconic New York City battle between The Lox and Dipset.
    — Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of explain
Noun
  • No one suspected the underlying reason: cognitive decline due to early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
    — Laura Kwerel, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • This is yet another reason why AI can serve humanity but can never replace people outright.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • According to data from Statista, the average amount of student debt forgiven by the PSLF program was $63,826 per borrower.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than setting yourself up for more hurt feelings, do your best to forgive your parents for their favoritism and live your life.
    — Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • About the same number will fill the outdoor patio overlooking the Boise Greenbelt and a large, tranquil pond surrounded by vegetation.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Photo : The Hover Bureau The breakfast nook overlooks Little Sarasota Bay.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Trump pardoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who spent eight years in prison on multiple corruption charges, including scheming to sell a vacant Senate seat.
    — Allison Morrow, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Tarrio was pardoned by Trump after he was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of pardon

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Cite this Entry

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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