excuse

Main Entry:
excuse [v. ik-skyooz; n. ik-skyoos]
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: reason, explanation
Synonyms: alibi, apology, cleanup, cop-out, cover story, cover*, coverup, defense, disguise, evasion, expedient, extenuation, fish story, grounds, jive, justification, makeshift, mitigation, plea, pretext, rationalization, regrets, routine, semblance, shift, song and dance, song*, stall, stopgap, story, substitute, subterfuge, trick*, vindication, whitewash, why and wherefore
Notes: an alias is an assumed name, an alibi is a form of defense whereby a defendant attempts to prove that he or she was elsewhere when the crime in question was committed, while an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness
a pardon is the act of excusing a mistake or offense; an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness
Main Entry: absolve
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: free from responsibility, duty
Synonyms: acquit, bleach, blink at, clear, discharge, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exonerate, forgive, free, go easy on, launder, let off easy, let off the hook, let off, let up on, liberate, lifeboat, loose, pardon, release, relieve, sanitize, set free, spare, spring*, vindicate, whitewash, wink at, wipe it off, wipe the slate clean, write off
Notes: one is absolved of blame or responsibility but is acquitted of a charge, usually a crime
Antonyms: bind, blame, charge, condemn, convict, hold, impeach, incriminate, obligate, punish, sentence
Main Entry: acquit
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: announce removal of blame
Synonyms: absolve, blink at, clear, deliver, discharge, disculpate, exculpate, excuse, exonerate, free, let go, let off, let off the hook, liberate, release, relieve, vindicate, whitewash, wink at, wipe off
Notes: one is absolved of blame or responsibility but is acquitted of a charge, usually a crime
Antonyms: blame, censure, condemn, convict, damn, denounce, doom, sentence
Main Entry: alibi
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: defense against charges of wrongdoing; evidence of absence
Synonyms: account, affirmation, airtight case, allegation, answer, assertion, assurance, avowal, case, cop-out, cover, declaration, excuse, explanation, fish story, justification, plea, pretext, profession, proof, reason, reply, retort, song and dance, stall, statement, vindication
Notes: an alias is an assumed name, an alibi is a form of defense whereby a defendant attempts to prove that he or she was elsewhere when the crime in question was committed, while an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness
Main Entry: apology
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: offering of remorse, regret
Synonyms: acknowledgment, admission, amends, atonement, concession, confession, defense, excuse, explanation, extenuation, justification, mea culpa, mitigation, plea, redress, reparation, vindication
Antonyms: accusation, censure, charge, complaint, condemnation, criticism, defiance, indictment
Main Entry: call
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: need, cause for action
Synonyms: claim, excuse, grounds, justification, necessity, obligation, occasion, reason, right, urge
Main Entry: color
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: deceptive appearance
Synonyms: deception, disguise, excuse, facade, face, false show, front, guise, mask, plea, pretense, pretext, put-on, semblance, show
Notes: color refers to the wavelength composition of light, shade is a gradation of color referring to its degree of darkness, tint is a gradation referring to its degree of lightness, and hue indicates a modification of a basic color
Main Entry: condone
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: make allowance for
Synonyms: buy*, disregard, excuse, forget, forgive, give green light, go along with, ignore, lap up, let it come, let it go by, let pass, look the other way, nod at, okay, overlook, pardon, pass over, remit, wink at
Antonyms: censure, condemn, forbid, not allow, prevent
Main Entry: cop out
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: abandon, quit
Synonyms: back down, back off, back out, backpedal, desert, dodge, excuse, give the slip, have alibi, rationalize, renege, renounce, revoke, skip, use pretext, welsh, withdraw
Antonyms: be ready, face, ready, take on
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