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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Poetry gets left behind by the exigency of character development or, in the movie’s self-defeating logic, because the art form doesn’t really matter and is only a lame excuse for people who won’t take responsibility and grow up. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 There is no excuse for harassing or racially intimidating a family. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Calling yourself compassionate doesn't excuse dangerous accusations What, exactly, is hateful about a mother or father wanting their daughter to have a female-only locker room? — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Prosecutors and Clancy’s defense team did not move to excuse the juror for cause during jury selection, O’Connor also said. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for excuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse

Noun

Such well-being is appealed to only as a smokescreen for the argument's true purpose, the justification of the administration's policies toward immigrants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
In doing so, defending their life felt like something akin to murder, despite her justification.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of justification

Verb

The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions.

— Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
There is always a new spectacle, a new gimmick to lure people into a theater and justify the cost of a ticket.

— Sam Fleischner, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

An elephantine star becoming a black hole doesn’t explain it either.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Maybe this explains why Effective Altruism—the idea that generosity should be subjected to evidence and calculation—seemed counterintuitive.

— David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

The device is nothing but a small stool (pardon the pun) that fits around the base of one’s toilet.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Oct. 2026
The beach itself is worth venturing to even for a day visit, but staying on this peaceful, postcard-perfect cove had me—pardon the nautical pun— falling hook, line, and sinker for Milos.

— Callie Thorpe, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of pardon

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excusably

excuse

excused

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Style

“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of excuse

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