|
|
ex·cuse
 excuse
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| pronunciation: |
ihks
kyuz
|
| inflections: |
excused, excuses, excusing |
| definition 1: |
to pardon or overlook (a minor fault or error).
Please excuse my tardiness.- synonyms:
- forgive, overlook, pardon
- antonyms:
- punish
- similar words:
- condone, disregard, ignore, let off, make allowance for, remit
|
| definition 2: |
to make apology for; request lenience for.
He excused himself for the loud cough.- synonyms:
- apologize for
- similar words:
- make allowance for, palliate, rationalize, regret, repent
|
| definition 3: |
to serve as partial or complete justification for; extenuate.
The illness excuses her absence.- synonyms:
- absolve, extenuate, justify, vindicate
- similar words:
- acquit, alibi, clear, explain, rationalize, sanction
|
| definition 4: |
to release from obligation; exempt.
The government excused him from military duty.- synonyms:
- absolve, exempt, let off, release
- similar words:
- acquit, exculpate, exonerate, forgive, free, pardon, waive
|
| definition 5: |
to refrain from demanding; be lenient regarding (a debt, punishment, or the like).
The rest of the jail term was excused because of the prisoner's good behavior.- synonyms:
- forgive, pardon, remit, waive
- similar words:
- amnesty, forbear
|
| related words: |
absent, absolve, dismiss, except, justify, plead, release |
|
|
| part of speech: |
noun |
| pronunciation: |
ihks
kyus
|
| definition 1: |
an explanation offered to justify or request pardon for a fault.
- synonyms:
- alibi, defense, explanation, justification
- similar words:
- apology, argument, cause, plea, warrant
|
| definition 2: |
the reason for excusing.
- synonyms:
- alibi, grounds, justification, vindication, warrant
- similar words:
- evidence, proof, reason
|
| definition 3: |
the act of excusing.
- synonyms:
- absolution, forgiveness, justification, pardon, remission, vindication
- antonyms:
- punishment
- similar words:
- dismissal, exemption, explanation, forbearance, indulgence, lenience, release, reprieve, respite, waiver
|
| definition 4: |
a pretext or subterfuge, esp. when used to escape blame.
She is always inventing excuses for her mistakes.- synonyms:
- pretense, rationalization, smoke screen
- similar words:
- alibi, cop-out, defense, loophole, pretext, subterfuge
|
| definition 5: |
(informal) an inferior specimen of something (often fol. by for or of).
He is a poor excuse for a father.- similar words:
- example, specimen
|
| related words: |
cover |
| derivations: |
excusable (adj.), excusably (adv.), excuser (n.) |
|
|