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
1
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
2
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
3
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of excuse
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 July 2025
More than just an excuse for margaritas, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for excuse
Noun
Only this time, Oddi didn’t focus on a specific destination but nodded to Earhart’s travels around the world by embarking on an imaginative trip across different locations and cultures — an excuse also to explore a variety of knitting techniques and textile blends in the collection.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 July 2025
More than just an excuse for margaritas, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
When Katie, now 26, developed a small pea-sized lump on her neck, that wasn't as easy to excuse.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for excuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for excuse
Noun
-
The legal justification is mainly based on not exposing neighbors to secondhand smoke.—
Phillip Molnar,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
-
The story posted yesterday about Adam and Tatis joining Manny Machado as All-Stars, includes some justification for Tatis being an All-Star despite his struggles the past two-plus months.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Too many times last year the line would just ignore somebody running right at them.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The conversation has put a spotlight on a dynamic that’s hard to ignore: how global leaders, especially from Western nations, talk about and to Africa.—
Oumou Fofana,
Essence,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
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If the Tripadvisor business was the company’s only segment, this valuation could be justified.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Another royal source explained that layoffs were inevitable for the former royal family members.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
13 July 2025
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The woman explained the extensive interviewing process as well as her concerns with pursuing the opportunity on the community forum Mumsnet.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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There’s a reason Mexico is one of the most coveted destinations to visit in Latin America—and why the best hotels in Mexico City are an excellent place to start immersing yourself in the culture.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
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But there’s an obvious reason the hotel keeps the interiors somewhat understated.—
Hannah Freedman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
May Allah Almighty forgive your shortcomings and grant you the highest ranks of Jannah.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
-
But those scenes tend to be very funny, and funny forgives a lot.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
11 July 2025
Verb
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But my frustration at her absence is also annoyance that FX’s raw and timely adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s nonfiction book on the Troubles was overlooked in favor of stuff like Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story and The Penguin.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
15 July 2025
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Set on a hilltop overlooking Ornos Bay (safely away from Mykonos town), the hotel’s 27 luxe accommodations are spread across five acres of a lush hillside.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Mayor Eric Adams, a centrist Democrat, is running as an independent, after Trump pardoned him for federal bribery charges.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
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His father — real-estate developer, slumlord, and pardoned felon Charles Kushner — was recently confirmed as ambassador to France.—
Brendan O'Connor,
Curbed,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Excuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/excuse. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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