excuse
Reason for lateness
An excuse is a reason offered to justify or obtain forgiveness for a fault or failure: His excuse was that traffic made him late.
To excuse someone is to forgive a minor offense or release them from an obligation: Please excuse my interruption.
Excuse me serves as a polite apology or request to pass.
As a verb, excuse can mean to make allowances for: Nothing excuses that behavior.
A weak or dishonest explanation is just an excuse.
Stated basis for action
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- explanationStatement making something clear
- defenseProtection against harm
- groundsBasis for justification
argument · basis · vindication · validation · warrant · account · motivation · mitigating
Deceptive outward show
- guiseExternal manner shown
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- smokescreenConcealment through misdirection
- frontForward-facing side
ruse · ploy · subterfuge · charade · masquerade · fabrication · evasion · dodge
Releasing resentment toward offenders
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- leniencyMildness in punishment
reprieve · amnesty · indulgence · compassion · grace · condonation · forbearance · tolerance
Formal surrender of rights
- dispensationOfficial permission to skip rules
- immunityProtected from harm
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- releaseTo let go
relief · exception · free pass · opt-out · leave · permission · allowance · pass
Sorrow over past actions
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
remorse · penitence · acknowledgment · amends · confession · atonement · repentance · reconciliation
rationale
Stated basis for action
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- explanationStatement making something clear
- defenseProtection against harm
grounds · argument · basis · vindication · validation · warrant · account · motivation · mitigating · extenuation
pretense
Deceptive outward show
- guiseExternal manner shown
- cover storyFalse explanation for actions
- smokescreenConcealment through misdirection
front · ruse · ploy · subterfuge · charade · masquerade · fabrication · evasion · dodge · sham
forgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
leniency · reprieve · amnesty · indulgence · compassion · grace · condonation · forbearance · tolerance · understanding
waiver
Formal surrender of rights
- dispensationOfficial permission to skip rules
- immunityProtected from harm
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
release · relief · exception · free pass · opt-out · leave · permission · allowance · pass · get out of
regret
Sorrow over past actions
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
contrition · remorse · penitence · acknowledgment · amends · confession · atonement · repentance · reconciliation
dismiss
Send away or reject
- excusesnot my fault, overslept, alibi, denial, traffic
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
- homographsalternate, bass, bow, close, compound
- utterancesutterance, statements, exclamation, assertion, questions
- conversation elementssmall talk, gossip, chitchat, banter, greeting
- Face-savingdignity, pride, honor, respect, image
excuseadmission
Entry or confession
confession · acknowledgment · mea culpa · apology · owning up
- excuse meApology for minor intrusion
- make excusesGive self-serving explanations
- making excusesOffering justifications for shortcomings
- no excusesRefusing to justify failure
- excuse myself
- excuse youPolite rebuke for rudeness
excused, excusable, excuses, inexcusable, excusing, unexcused, excuser, excusers, inexcusably