make excuses

VERB

refuse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decline ignore protest rebuff reject turn down withdraw withhold

STRONG

demur desist disaccord disallow disapprove dissent dodge evade nix regret repel reprobate repudiate shun spurn

WEAK

beg off brush off dispense with give thumbs down to hold back hold off hold out not budge not budget not buy not care to pass up refuse to receive send off send regrets set aside turn away turn deaf ear to turn from turn one's back on

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept allow approve

STRONG

agree consent endorse face meet sanction

WEAK

OK grant offer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The couple had to stay away from their house with their newborn for 10 weeks while Figg continued to make excuses for the work dragging out over nine months.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

“I’m accountable every day for making people’s lives better. I don’t get to make excuses and blame another party,” Mahan said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"I'm careful not to make excuses but it comes from a lot of different variables," Shiffrin told reporters after the race won by the unfancied second-ranked Austrian pair of Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

"It's not acceptable to make excuses or try and rationalise it," the Alliance Party leader said.

From BBC • Sep. 1, 2025

“And his friends—” “Don’t you dare make excuses for him, Henry Denton.”

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

make excuses

Example Sentences

Related Words