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Dictionary.com

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.

Potts refuses to make excuses for his performance.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Green Dot did not make excuses for low achievement.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

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

Now Uncle was a proud man, and it had probably taken him most of last evening and this morning just to work himself up to this point where he would make excuses for his actions.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep