excuse

Noun
  1. A defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc. (synset 106754000)
    "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable"
    is a type of: defence, defense, vindication - the justification for some act or belief
    subtypes: extenuation, mitigation - a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
    same as: alibi, exculpation, self-justification
  2. A note explaining an absence (synset 106638953)
    "he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him"
    is a type of: billet, line, note, short letter - a short personal letter
  3. A poor example (synset 105829462)
    "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"
    is a type of: example, illustration, instance, representative - an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    same as: apology
Verb
  1. Accept an excuse for (synset 200907805)
    "Please excuse my dirty hands"
    is a type of: forgive - stop blaming or grant forgiveness
    same as: pardon
  2. Grant exemption or release to (synset 200895399)
    "Please excuse me from this class"
    is a type of: absolve, free - let off the hook
    subtypes: frank - exempt by means of an official pass or letter, as from customs or other checks
    same as: exempt, let off, relieve
  3. Serve as a reason or cause or justification of (synset 200894956)
    "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work"; "Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again"
    is a type of: justify, vindicate - show to be right by providing justification or proof
    subtypes: alibi - exonerate by means of an alibi
    same as: explain
  4. Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning (synset 200896259)
    "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
    is a type of: defend, fend for, support - argue or speak in defense of
    subtypes:
    same as: apologise, apologize, rationalise, rationalize
  5. Ask for permission to be released from an engagement (synset 200895742)
    is a type of: ask for, bespeak, call for, quest, request - express the need or desire for
    same as: beg off
  6. Excuse, overlook, or make allowances for;
    Be lenient with (synset 200894688)
    "excuse someone's behavior"; "She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities"
    is a type of: forgive - stop blaming or grant forgiveness
    same as: condone

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