1. alibi, exculpation, excuse, self-justification

a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.

Example Sentences:
'he kept finding excuses to stay'
'every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job'
'his transparent self-justification was unacceptable'

• alibi
• exculpation
• self-justification

2. excuse

a note explaining an absence

Example Sentences:
'he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him'

3. apology, excuse

a poor example

Example Sentences:
'it was an apology for a meal'
'a poor excuse for an automobile'

• apology

4. excuse, pardon

accept an excuse for

Example Sentences:
'Please excuse my dirty hands'

• pardon

5. excuse, exempt, let off, relieve

grant exemption or release to

Example Sentences:
'Please excuse me from this class'

• exempt
• let off
• relieve

6. excuse, explain

serve as a reason or cause or justification of

Example Sentences:
'Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work'
'Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again'

• explain

7. apologise, apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize

defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning

Example Sentences:
'rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior'
'he rationalized his lack of success'

• apologise
• apologize
• justify
• rationalise
• rationalize

8. beg off, excuse

ask for permission to be released from an engagement

• beg off

9. condone, excuse

excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with

Example Sentences:
'excuse someone's behavior'
'She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities'

• condone