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
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of excuses
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
29 June 2026
Then turn in the most benign of public records requests — access to a calendar, for example — and prepare for weeks of delays and excuses.
—
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Blaming Others Everyone makes excuses sometimes, says Shaw.
—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
22 June 2026
The challenge becomes even more difficult because the usual excuses aren’t available.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever.
—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
But his silence in the series could change viewers’ perceptions of him, raising questions about where the line between empathy and excuses lies.
—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
The players didn’t make excuses, but the coach did.
—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Despite these recent developments, Platner has continued to receive silence, excuses, and outright support from prominent Democrats.
—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Hannah Meisel,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
With no more patients in the waiting room, Dua excuses herself to see Haynes in the OR, where medical resident Lee has begun the procedure.
—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
8 June 2026
Because her beauty excuses all.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
The Justice Department says Bondi’s ouster excuses her from having to appear.
—
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … MEDIA HALL PASS — Nashville public school excuses Muslim students for daily prayer time during Ramadan.
—
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
And while absolutely none of that excuses my actions, that's what happened.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
None of that excuses the crimes.
—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Lost Lambs features an all-white cast in an anonymous American suburb, which excuses Cash from having to engage head-on with race.
—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Court papers say Doyle used a different first name while dealing with Matthiesen and continued to invent excuses after the painting had been sold, even falsely claiming the buyer had failed to pay him despite already receiving the money.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
29 June 2026
Then turn in the most benign of public records requests — access to a calendar, for example — and prepare for weeks of delays and excuses.
—
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2026
Blaming Others Everyone makes excuses sometimes, says Shaw.
—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
22 June 2026
The challenge becomes even more difficult because the usual excuses aren’t available.
—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
There are no excuses to use this type of language, ever.
—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
But his silence in the series could change viewers’ perceptions of him, raising questions about where the line between empathy and excuses lies.
—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
The players didn’t make excuses, but the coach did.
—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Despite these recent developments, Platner has continued to receive silence, excuses, and outright support from prominent Democrats.
—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Verb
In another instance, Mecklenburg allegedly excuses skeptical grand jurors from serving after arguing with them.
—
Hannah Meisel,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
With no more patients in the waiting room, Dua excuses herself to see Haynes in the OR, where medical resident Lee has begun the procedure.
—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
8 June 2026
Because her beauty excuses all.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
1 June 2026
The Justice Department says Bondi’s ouster excuses her from having to appear.
—
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
Continue reading … MEDIA HALL PASS — Nashville public school excuses Muslim students for daily prayer time during Ramadan.
—
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
And while absolutely none of that excuses my actions, that's what happened.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
None of that excuses the crimes.
—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Lost Lambs features an all-white cast in an anonymous American suburb, which excuses Cash from having to engage head-on with race.
—
Malavika Kannan,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuses
Noun
-
What was the breakdown for and against and what justifications did the majority give for its decision?
-
Its role is to expose wrongdoing, illuminate facts, and draw the world’s attention to crimes committed in the name of false causes and manufactured justifications.
Verb
-
Stating that Palestinians are entitled to a country of their own ignores the facts.
-
With the job’s high salary, live-in accommodations and her love of children on her mind, Layla ignores Jasmine’s concerns and drives to the family’s estate to meet Zuri.
Verb
-
The good news is that the actual print quality largely justifies the inconvenience.
-
Listing, pricing, shipping and storage all take time, so selling is worth it when the payoff justifies the work.
Verb
-
Maybe that explains her chaotic behavior when the crew goes out later that night.
-
Deputy Ethan Weinzieri explains just some of the work the dogs do.
Noun
-
Both Kurtz and Langeliers cited workload and the need for rest during the long Major League Baseball season as reasons for their lack of interest.
-
Many areas have been exempted for a variety of reasons, including lots in hillside fire zones and lots in Historic Protection Overlay Zones.
Verb
-
But Hannah, who sees his true good nature, forgives him.
-
While The Pitt forgives and empathizes with Robby’s flaws, Robby is not called on to extend that empathy to others.
Verb
-
Trump pardons ex-Republican congressman.
-
President Kennedy pardons his predecessor, Nixon, for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
Verb
-
Fans might be quick to immediately pencil in Rodriguez as the starter, yet this totally overlooks Dodson’s competitiveness.
-
Custom designed in Italy — to accommodate bigger tables and cupholders — and installed in 2014, the wheel features 16 gondolas and overlooks the Mississippi River.
Cite this Entry
“Excuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuses. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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