excuses

After delays, excuses, pleadings, Julie's father lost patience.

But the Rector felt that he was listening to the excuses of a serpent.

The most hopeless ill-doer is he who excuses himself angrily.

His carelessness about his character is one of his excuses: a very bad one.

I was cold; tried to get out of the matter with compliments and excuses.

To all his excuses she replied: "You've vexed me; I don't want to see you."

These powerful objections were only met with excuses of convenience and utility.

I don't say it excuses my being 'tiresome,' but it may explain it.

They were sorry, made no excuses, and promised to be different in future.

He knew Jake would be furious, and cast about in his mind for excuses that might save him.