Results

Definition of excuse : 1. That which excuses; that which extenuates or justifies a fault.
2. That which is offered as a reason for being excused; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault or irregular deportment; apology; as, an excuse for neglect of duty; excuses for delay of payment.
3. The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning, releasing, and the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation.
4. To free from accusation, or the imputation of fault or blame; to clear from guilt; to release from a charge; to justify by extenuating a fault; to exculpate; to absolve; to acquit.
5. To pardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable, and to overlook; as, we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary circumstances appear to justify it.
6. To regard with indulgence; to view leniently or to overlook; to pardon.
7. To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.

Synonyms:

salvage, assuage, palliate, salve, prune, subterfuge, mediocrity, apologia, right, substitute, remedy, dispense, trick, self-justification, vindication, confession, exculpation, forgiveness, spare, allay, ease, warrant, save, rationalize, explain, still, unbosom, cut, apology, let off, explicate, apologise, sorry specimen, inferior example, beg off, alleviate, take over, rationalise, lighten

exception, license, permission, concession, immunity, waiver, release, discharge, amnesty, pardon, stay, dismissal, exemption, absolution, dispensation, relief, privilege, reprieve, liberty, freedom

justification, denial, objection, reaction, refutation, defense

remit, overlook, show mercy, tolerate, forget, relent, forbear, condone

entreaty, appeal, suit, petition

countercharge, rebuttal, answer, response, retort, rejoinder, counter-statement, explanation, riposte, comeback, counterclaim, replication, return, counter-reply, reply, surrebuttal, counter-accusation, acknowledgment, echo

avenge, apologize, refute, mitigate

except, permit, relieve, exempt, dispel

alibi, stratagem, plea, reason, pretense, pretext, white lie, red herring, rationale, smoke screen, affirmation, claim, loop-hole

beg, allege, plead, justify

begging

defray, acquit, liberate, exculpate, free, exonerate, clear, forgive, dismiss, absolve, vindicate

Usage examples:

• " I dare say she was glad enough to make some excuse or other to get away from him. - "The Beckoning Hand and Other Stories The Beckoning Hand--Lucretia--The Third Time--The Gold Wulfric--My Uncle's Will--The Two Carnegies--Olga Davidoff's Husband--John Cann's Treasure--Isaline and I--Professor Milliter's Dilemma--In Strict Confidence--The ", Grant Allen.
• " Master says you must excuse him, sir. - "The Man with a Shadow", George Manville Fenn.
• " Mr. Torrance will excuse you coming down again," she said. - "The Cattle-Baron's Daughter", Harold Bindloss.