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

Don’t wait for late-arriving Easter to fire the starting gun for spring: April 1 is a good excuse to slough off the doldrums of winter and start exploring again. —

Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Feb. 2025 Only four boomers — Fred Armisen on vocals, Bill Hader on bass, host Ashton Kutcher on guitar, and musical guest Dave Grohl on drums — who are eager to use a daughter’s wedding as an excuse to get the old band back together. —

Devon Ivie, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025

Verb

Taake isn’t the only Jan. 6 figure to find trouble waiting after being excused for actions on Jan. 6. —

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025 But long before its behavior was excused by some Americans as a response to Western support for Ukraine, Russia was undermining American interests around the world. —

Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for excuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse

Noun

This raised questions about political motivations, not legal justification.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
Democrats and even some Republicans in Congress, like Sen. Chuck Grassley, have demanded that the administration provide a rationale, arguing that federal law requires a justification.

— Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 12 Feb. 2025