Thesaurus results for ALIBI

Q: How does the noun 'alibi' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alibi are apologia , apology , excuse , plea , and pretext . While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. // his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Q: When can 'apologia' be used instead of 'alibi'?

The words apologia and alibi are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. // his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

Q: When is 'apology' a more appropriate choice than 'alibi'?

The words apology and alibi can be used in similar contexts, but apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. // said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

Q: When is it sensible to use 'excuse' instead of 'alibi'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alibi , excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. // used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

Q: When would 'plea' be a good substitute for 'alibi'?

While the synonyms plea and alibi are close in meaning, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. // her usual plea that she was nearsighted

Q: In what contexts can 'pretext' take the place of 'alibi'?

In some situations, the words pretext and alibi are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. // used any pretext to get out of work

alibi 1 of 2

noun

ˈa-lə-ˌbī

Definition of alibi

as in excuse

an explanation that frees one from fault or blame a student who always has a very creative alibi for undone homework or late papers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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alibi

2 of 2

verb

as in to account (for)

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How does the noun alibi contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alibi are apologia, apology, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When can apologia be used instead of alibi?

The words apologia and alibi are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When is apology a more appropriate choice than alibi?

The words apology and alibi can be used in similar contexts, but apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

When is it sensible to use excuse instead of alibi?

While in some cases nearly identical to alibi, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When would plea be a good substitute for alibi?

While the synonyms plea and alibi are close in meaning, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

In what contexts can pretext take the place of alibi?

In some situations, the words pretext and alibi are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of alibi

Noun

Dobbs’ attorneys argue jurors never heard evidence of his alibi. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 There is dread and sadness and also anger, not only on behalf of the usual alibi for caring about famous women’s bodies, those masses of impressionable teen-age girls, but on behalf of past and present selves. — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

Trying to explain his incontinent sucking-up to the hack lifer Scott Bosworth, Fish tries to alibi for at least some of his incontinent missives. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Oct. 2025 She was stoned and trying to alibi Reed, but Harry wrote her off as a lying druggie. — Nick Caruso, TVLine, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for alibi

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alibi

Noun

Scammers can use major security incidents as an excuse to send fake notices or links designed to steal even more information.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
More from Taaffe The Dolphins are the youngest team in the league, but Taaffe and quarterback Malik Willis said this week that the Dolphins cannot use that as an excuse.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

Verb

Ahmed doesn’t merely document the decisions that led President Biden and his aides to arm and rationalize what leading human rights organizations and legal scholars now consider a genocide.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Trading for the ageless Flacco, the 49ers’ Jones, the Steelers’ Rudolph or a young developing QB like McCarthy would make headlines, but the Giants can’t really rationalize giving up significant draft capital in a trade right now.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of rationalize

Noun

The timing raised questions about the city’s justification for limiting firefighters’ raises.

— Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
Velchik said that the government never said that the ban was solely about national security, citing another justification that the outlets failed to meet minimal journalistic standards of professionalism.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of justification

Verb

Kelly said she was impressed by Sand’s ability to not only answer complex policy questions off the cuff but also to explain the context of the issue for others in the audience who might not have been as familiar.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Faulk explained the section from the Old Applehill Road to Douglas Street is considered a limited access highway because the state does not want businesses creating their own access points.

— Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of explain

Noun

Here, Benavidez Clayton dives into the reasons behind BCI’s regenerative push, why social impact is a critical piece of the puzzle and how brands can get involved.

— SJ Studio, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is a treasure, and a public good Arkansans have reason to support.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reason

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“Alibi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alibi. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of alibi

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Synonyms of alibi

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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7 Uncommonly Doubled Letters

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