excuse | ||
1. | [ noun ] a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc. | |
Synonyms: | self-justification exculpation alibi | |
Examples: | "he kept finding excuses to stay" "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job" "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable" |
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Related terms: | defense extenuation alibi | |
2. | [ verb ] accept an excuse for | |
Synonyms: | pardon | |
Examples: | "Please excuse my dirty hands" |
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Related terms: | forgive forgiveness | |
3. | [ verb ] serve as a reason or cause or justification of | |
Synonyms: | explain | |
Examples: | "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work" "Her recent divorce amy explain her reluctance to date again" |
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Related terms: | justify alibi explanation | |
4. | [ verb ] grant exemption or release to | |
Synonyms: | let_off exempt relieve | |
Examples: | "Please excuse me from this class |
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Related terms: | absolve frank | |
5. | [ verb ] defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning | |
Synonyms: | rationalize justify apologise rationalise apologize | |
Examples: | "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior" "he rationalized his lack of success" |
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Related terms: | defend plead extenuate color justification apology rationalization apologist apology justification | |
6. | [ noun ] a poor example | |
Synonyms: | apology | |
Examples: | "it was an apology for a meal" "a poor excuse for an automobile" |
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Related terms: | example | |
7. | [ verb ] ask for permission to be released from an engagement | |
Synonyms: | beg_off | |
Related terms: | request | |
8. | [ noun ] (writing) a note explaining an absence | |
Examples: | "he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him" |
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Related terms: | note | |
9. | [ verb ] excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with | |
Synonyms: | condone | |
Examples: | "excuse someone's behavior" "She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities" |
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Related terms: | forgive condonation | |
Similar spelling: |
excise exec |