EXCUSED Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

excused

verb

past tense of excuse

as in ignored

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 justified

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 explained

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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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 excused Ovitz, meanwhile, asked to be excused from further questioning on the grounds that Ormond’s lawyers were trying to harass him with irrelevant questions. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 These departures would have probably been excused had the show captured the imagination of the audience. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026 Senior quarterback Dante Moore was nowhere to be found during media availability following the Ducks' loss on the road, which was noticed by every reporter in the room, but according to head coach Dan Lanning, his absence was excused. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026 The jury requested to be excused for the day hours after telling Judge William Sullivan that it was deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous decision. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done. — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Observant Muslims pray five times daily, so students and employees sometimes need a space to pray – an accommodation that can be as simple as being excused briefly from class or work. — Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 So the Eagles can be excused for not getting very excited about winning a second straight division title. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 The abuse of women and girls has long been ignored, excused, protected and even turned into profit. — Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for excused

Verb

That got ignored, as indicated by the five salmon packages, sitting in the walk-in cooler, still in the packaging and defrosted.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
The Villa Borghese is full of ancient marble statues, which Leo largely ignored.

— Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignored

Verb

Mississippi’s attorney general says a Senatobia police officer was justified in firing into a car during a shoplifting response, killing 1-year-old Kohen Wiley.

— Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
However, that valuation may be justified by strong earnings growth.

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of justified

Verb

From Texas to beyond The couple initially considered limiting their contribution to Texas, Michael explained at the event, before deciding to expand the initiative nationwide.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Spagnuolo explained that the recognition is awarded only after a Chiefs victory, with the coaching staff putting together a highlight tape the following Saturday morning.

— Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of explained

Verb

Trump has resumed power, many of the January 6 rioters were pardoned, and misinformation is in the water.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Trump has pardoned or given commutations to at least 44 recipients within a year of their sentences who together account for over $270 million in financial obligations.

— Caren Morrison, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of pardoned

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excuse

excused

excuses

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

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Synonyms of excused

verb

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