n. 25B6; verb
eventually she excused him : FORGIVE, pardon, absolve, exonerate, acquit; informal let someone off (the hook); formal exculpate.
such conduct can never be excused : JUSTIFY, defend, condone, vindicate; forgive, overlook, disregard, ignore, tolerate, sanction.
she has been excused from her duties : LET OFF, release, relieve, exempt, absolve, free.
punish, blame, condemn.
25B6; noun
that's no excuse for stealing : JUSTIFICATION, defence, reason, explanation, mitigating circumstances, mitigation, vindication.
an excuse to get away : PRETEXT, ostensible reason, pretence; Brit. get-out; informal story, alibi.
(informal) that pathetic excuse for a man! : TRAVESTY OF, poor specimen of; informal apology for.