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excuse

/ɪksˈkjuz/noun, verb2 syllables

Excuse means: defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning.

Synonyms for excuse28

noun, as in a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.

alibi, exculpation, self-justification

noun, as in a poor example

apology

verb, as in defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning

apologize, apologise, rationalize, rationalise

verb, as in grant exemption or release to

relieve, let off, exempt

verb, as in accept an excuse for

pardon

verb, as in serve as a reason or cause or justification of

explain

verb, as in ask for permission to be released from an engagement

beg off

verb, as in excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with

condone

also used for excuse

forgive, let off the hook, let pass, unguilt, plead, adduce, cop-out, pretext release, clear, justify, tolerate, overlook, discharge

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does excuse mean?9

verb

1

defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning“rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior”

2

grant exemption or release to“Please excuse me from this class”

3

accept an excuse for“Please excuse my dirty hands”

4

serve as a reason or cause or justification of“Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work”

5

ask for permission to be released from an engagement

6

excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with“excuse someone's behavior”

noun

1

a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.“he kept finding excuses to stay”

2

a poor example“it was an apology for a meal”

3

a note explaining an absence“he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with excuse?24

one syllable

useloosejuicebrucegoosemoosezeustrucesprucelucenousnoosemousse

two syllables

producereduceabuseinducereusediffuseseduceobtusededuce

three syllables

introducereproduce
Show 40 near rhymes
toyoudowhonewtwotoothroughusedschoolfewgroupnewsfoodtrueroomduemovesoonincludejuneknewviewcoolbluegroupsreviewpoorlosewhosehugerulesschoolstruthmovedincludesrulechooseproducedwhom

All 24 rhymes for excuse, grouped by syllable

Excuse in a sentence

  • Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the post office?CM
  • Excuse me for interrupting you, but would you mind opening the window?CK
  • Excuse me but, would you kindly lift that box for me?CK
  • Excuse me, but will you tell me the way to the station?Sudajaengi
  • Excuse me, but could you tell me the way to the station?Dejo
  • Excuse me, but let me have another look at the photo.CK
  • Excuse me, but could you do me a favor?unknown
  • Excuse me, could you say that again more slowly?CK

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of excuse

as a noun

plural
excuses

as a verb

past tense
excused
present participle
excusing
third-person singular
excuses
past participle
excused