A defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc..

synonyms: alibi, excuse, self-justification.

Roget 927a: exemption, freedom, irresponsibility, immunity, liberty, license, release, exoneration, excuse, dispensation, absolution, franchise, renunciation, discharge; exculpation etc. 970.    ... show more

Roget 937: vindication, justification, warrant; exoneration, exculpation; acquittal etc. 970; whitewashing.    extenuation; palliation, palliative; softening, mitigation.    reply, defense; recrimination etc. 938.    apology, gloss, varnish; plea etc. 617; salvo; excuse, extenuating circumstances; allowance, allowance to be made; locus paenitentiae [Lat.].    apologist, vindicator, justifier; defendant etc. 938.    justifiable charge, true bill.    v.. justify, warrant; be an excuse for etc. n.; lend a color, furnish a handle; vindicate; exculpate, disculpate^†; acquit etc. 970; clear, set right, exonerate, whitewash; clear the skirts of.    extenuate, palliate, excuse, soften, apologize, varnish, slur, gloze; put a gloss, put a good face upon; mince; gloss over, bolster up, help a lame dog over a stile.    advocate, defend, plead one's cause; stand up for, stick up for, speak up for; contend for, speak for; bear out, keep in countenance, support; plead &c., 617; say in defense; plead ignorance; confess and avoid, propugn^†, put in a good word for.    take the will for the deed, make allowance for, give credit for, do justice to; give one his due, give the Devil his due.    make good; prove the truth of, prove one's case; be justified by the event.    ... show more

Roget 970: acquittal, acquitment^†; clearance, exculpation; acquittance, clearance, exoneration; discharge etc. (release) 750; quietus, absolution, compurgation^†, reprieve, respite; pardon etc. (forgiveness) 918.    [Exemption from punishment] impunity; diplomatic immunity; immunity; plea bargain, deal with the prosecutor.    [in civil suits] no cause for action; no damages.    ... show more

Roget 918: forgiveness, pardon, condonation, grace, remission, absolution, amnesty, oblivion; indulgence; reprieve.    conciliation; reconcilement; reconciliation etc. (pacification) 723; propitiation.    excuse, exoneration, quittance, release, indemnity; bill of indemnity, act of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, deed of indemnity; exculpation etc. (acquittal) 970.    longanimity^†, placability; amantium irae [Lat.]; locus paenitentiae [Lat.]; forbearance.    ... show more

Dutch: alibi, excuus, flous, zelfrechtvaardiging
Polish: wymówka, wykręt

The act of freeing from guilt or blame.

Dutch: disculpatie, excuus, justificatie, verontschuldiging