EXCUSE Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

excuse 1 of 2

noun

ik-ˈskyüs

Definition of excuse next

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

Relevance

excuse

2 of 2

verb

ik-ˈskyüz

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

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

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

Examples 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

Can’t be an excuse to—crawl into a hole and never come out. —

Ayad Akhtar, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2024 Dress of the wild Questing is just a small part of Infinity Nikki, though, an excuse to push Nikki into Infold’s first open world. —

Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024

Verb

But what about the millions of people who’ve already had their debt excused over the past four years? —

Annie Nova, CNBC, 20 Nov. 2024 This guy represented a lot of American small farmers, so perhaps he can be excused for having a dark sense of humor. —

Allbusiness, Forbes, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for excuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse

Noun

The justification for all that torture and horror was 'stability'.

Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
The panelists then criticized a wave of online support for the suspect, with many citing issues with the healthcare industry as justification for making jokes about Thompson's death.

Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 6 Dec. 2024