Definition: a poor example
Usage: it was an apology for a meal; a poor excuse for an automobile
Similar words: representative, illustration, instance, example
Definition: an item of information that is typical of a class or group
Usage: this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome; there is an example on page 10
Synonyms: excuse
Definition: a note explaining an absence
Usage: he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him
Similar words: billet, short letter, note, line
Definition: a short personal letter
Usage: drop me a line when you get there
Synonyms: alibi, self-justification, exculpation, excuse
Definition: a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
Usage: he kept finding excuses to stay; every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job; his transparent self-justification was unacceptable
Similar words: defence, defense, vindication
Definition: the justification for some act or belief
Usage: he offered a persuasive defense of the theory
Definition: excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
Usage: excuse someone's behavior; She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities
Similar words: forgive
Definition: stop blaming or grant forgiveness
Usage: I forgave him his infidelity; She cannot forgive him for forgetting her birthday
Definition: serve as a reason or cause or justification of
Usage: Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work; Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again
Similar words: vindicate, justify
Definition: show to be right by providing justification or proof
Usage: vindicate a claim
Synonyms: excuse, exempt, relieve, let off
Definition: grant exemption or release to
Usage: Please excuse me from this class
Similar words: free, justify, absolve
Definition: let off the hook
Usage: I absolve you from this responsibility
Definition: ask for permission to be released from an engagement
Similar words: bespeak, call for, request, quest
Definition: express the need or desire for; ask for
Usage: She requested an extra bed in her room; She called for room service
Synonyms: rationalise, rationalize, justify, apologise, apologize, excuse
Definition: defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
Usage: rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior; he rationalized his lack of success
Similar words: fend for, support, defend
Definition: argue or speak in defense of
Usage: She supported the motion to strike
Definition: accept an excuse for
Usage: Please excuse my dirty hands
Similar words: forgive
Definition: stop blaming or grant forgiveness
Usage: I forgave him his infidelity; She cannot forgive him for forgetting her birthday