Synonyms and related words :
alibi, alibi out of, apologize for, ask forgiveness, beg indulgence, beg pardon, cover with excuses, defend, do penance, espouse, excuse, express regret, justify, lie out of, make apology for, offer excuse for, plead guilty, plead ignorance, reform, repent, squirm out of, take back, think better of, vindicate, worm out of,