English noun: excuse | |||
1. | excuse (communication) a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc. | ||
Samples | He kept finding excuses to stay. Every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job. His transparent self-justification was unacceptable. | ||
Synonyms | alibi, exculpation, self-justification | ||
Broader (hypernym) | defence, defense, vindication | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | extenuation, mitigation | ||
2. | excuse (communication) a note explaining an absence | ||
Samples | He had to get his mother to write an excuse for him. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | billet, line, note, short letter | ||
3. | excuse (cognition) a poor example | ||
Samples | It was an apology for a meal. A poor excuse for an automobile. | ||
Synonyms | apology | ||
Broader (hypernym) | example, illustration, instance, representative | ||
English verb: excuse | |||
1. | excuse (communication) accept an excuse for | ||
Samples | Please excuse my dirty hands. | ||
Synonyms | pardon | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | forgive | ||
2. | excuse (communication) grant exemption or release to | ||
Samples | Please excuse me from this class. | ||
Examples | Sam cannot excuse Sue | ||
Synonyms | exempt, let off, relieve | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody. Somebody ----s somebody PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | absolve, free, justify | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | frank | ||
3. | excuse (communication) serve as a reason or cause or justification of | ||
Samples | Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work. Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again. | ||
Synonyms | explain | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | justify, vindicate | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | alibi | ||
4. | excuse (communication) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning | ||
Samples | Rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior. He rationalized his lack of success. | ||
Synonyms | apologise, apologize, justify, rationalise, rationalize | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | defend, fend for, support | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | color, colour, extenuate, gloss, mitigate, palliate, plead | ||
5. | excuse (communication) ask for permission to be released from an engagement | ||
Synonyms | beg off | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | bespeak, call for, quest, request | ||
6. | excuse (communication) excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with | ||
Samples | Excuse someone's behavior. She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities. | ||
Synonyms | condone | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | forgive | ||