self-exculpation

noun

self-ex·​cul·​pa·​tion ˌself-ˌek-(ˌ)skəl-ˈpā-shən 

: the act or an instance of exculpating oneself : the act or an instance of clearing oneself from alleged fault or guilt

As always in these cases, the attempt at self-exculpation only makes the guilty party look even worse.

—Richard Evans

self-exculpatory

ˌself-ˌek-ˈskəl-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

a self-exculpatory letter

self-exculpating

ˌself-ˌˈek-(ˌ)skəl-ˌpā-tiŋ 

(ˌ)ek-ˈskəl-

adjective

a self-exculpating account of the incident

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above