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.

See Examples For:

make excuses

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

Reaves doesn’t make excuses, and he wasn’t about to start now, not in the wake of a 132-119 defeat by the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025

But Australia coach Joe Schmidt said: "I don't want to make excuses, England were very, very good."

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2025

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

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025

During the visit, Chadwick continued to show his sulky side, treating the American so rudely that his colleagues and friends were forced to make excuses.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

make excuses

Example Sentences

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Related Words