excuses

NOUN

reason, explanation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alibi apology justification pretext rationalization substitute trick

STRONG

cleanup cover defense disguise evasion expedient extenuation grounds jive makeshift mitigation plea regrets routine semblance shift song stall stopgap story subterfuge vindication whitewash

WEAK

cop-out cover story coverup fish story song and dance why and wherefore

Antonyms

STRONG

permanent

VERB

forgive, absolve; justify

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquit condone defend exempt exonerate explain forgive indulge let go pardon relieve spare tolerate

STRONG

alibi appease clear cover discharge exculpate extenuate free liberate mitigate overlook pretext purge rationalize release remit reprieve shrive vindicate whitewash

WEAK

apologize for bear with dispense from exempt from give absolution grant amnesty let off make allowances for pass over plead ignorance shrug off take rap for wink at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accuse blame censure charge condemn damn hurt punish sentence

STRONG

aggravate hold incite irritate keep limit maintain prevent restrain reveal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Robert Watts, who compiles the list, said this year's Rich List is "a tale of two exoduses".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

The two exoduses — the forced transatlantic slave trade and the Great Migration of African Americans in the early 1900s — helped make the recipe commonplace.

From Washington Post • Dec. 23, 2022

The resignations of Donnelly and Bailey are the latest exoduses from the district.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 28, 2022

“Everybody was focusing on the California exoduses, the wildfires, the earthquakes and everything that was negative going on, but I don’t think anybody was paying attention to the growth.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022

There lacked only the soldierly women, the swarms of children, to complete exactly the resemblance to the martial exoduses of the past.

From Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) A Novel by Jordan, Charlotte Brewster