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

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

As such, the episode where Rebecca willingly drives to Pennsylvania to meet her online admirer feels more like a convenient excuse to move the plot forward, rather than a believable narrative development. —

Tomris Laffly, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025 Feeding a pet is a reason to get out of bed in the morning; taking them out is an excuse to get dressed, go outside, and get some sun. —

Katie Rife, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025

Verb

And some of its singers are now becoming — excuse us — Adultz Bop, forever shaped by their experience as early teens with the group. —

Sopan Deb, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Brown told the outlet that while she was ultimately dismissed for jury duty that day, a representative from the court told her she was not excused for the week — despite the fact that her childcare situation — and the needs of her infant — were unchanged. —

Toria Sheffield, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for excuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse

Noun

The representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to their offices Sunday about the justification by DHS for terminating TPS for Venezuelan recipients who’d received the designation from the Biden administration in 2023.

— Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025
No one in the administration has tried to argue that conditions in Venezuela have improved, which, the law stipulates, would be the only justification for terminating TPS.

— Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025