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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Freedom of speech has become an excuse to outright discriminate against entire groups of people and incite hate and violence without consequence. —Tracy Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025 Repairs, test rides, quickly answered questions, and free Tuesday tech clinics give me plenty of excuses to drop in. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 July 2025
Verb
But the survey of 1,000 American adults, taken on June 10, also found that some excused or endorsed the violence against Jews. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025 When a flight attendant noticed, Dali faked vomiting to excuse her lengthy time in the bathroom. —ABC News, 10 July 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
  • The justification for these cuts has been cloaked in the language of fiscal responsibility.
    — TrickleUp, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The legal justification is that motorcyclists are less visible, especially in heavy traffic or poor weather conditions, which increases the risk of collisions.
    — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 28 July 2025
Definition of justification
Verb
  • Similarly, while some food stamp provisions remain, the narrative ignores the potential for reduced access for others, including children and pregnant women, under changes to eligibility.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 July 2025
  • Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • However, the Commission did not indicate any sudden or unexpected event that would justify the urgency.
    — Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Lay of the land Advocates for the Golden Dome point to recent events to justify the program.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Police officials will explain how the new police drones can be remotely deployed and piloted toward the scene of an incident from docks placed across the city.
    — Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 26 July 2025
  • Upright vacuum cleaners typically have bigger motors, which generate more powerful suction, Ho explains.
    — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
Definition of explain
Noun
  • The administration maintains that the naysayers are wrong, and alas, there is indeed reason to suspect the official narrative of financial experts.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
  • Law enforcement determined the child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the sole reason for requesting an activation.
    — Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of reason
Verb
  • On the other side, Israel’s demolition and occupation of much of Gaza has made Palestinians all the less willing to reconcile with and forgive Israel.
    — DANIEL BYMAN, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
  • Part of the cost of replacing lead lines in New London is being covered by a $6.9 million federal loan, a portion of which will be forgiven.
    — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Through intimate and silent visuals, the film explores the quiet resilience of those who are overlooked.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 28 July 2025
  • Generations of Popes had enjoyed the use of the mansion, which overlooks a volcanic lake and is surrounded by spectacular terraced gardens.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Trump has the power to pardon Maxwell fully as well as to commute her prison sentence.
    — Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • In May, Trump pardoned Sittenfeld, restoring his rights and ability to run for office again.
    — Scott Wartman, The Enquirer, 16 July 2025
Definition of pardon

Browse Nearby Words

excusably
excuse
excused
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Cite this Entry

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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