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

That objective vehicle data dismantled the suspect’s alibi, advanced the investigation, and played a pivotal role in securing a conviction in one of Central Florida’s most heartbreaking cases. — Charles "chuck" Broadway, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026 Prosecutors argued the recording destroyed Murdaugh's original alibi and placed him at the family's Colleton County kennels minutes before the killings. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 17 June 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

That is more true inside a company than at national scale, because a company has fewer excuses.

— Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
The ostensibly patriotic event repeated every year, serving as a kind of decoy, an excuse for tribal members to gather and dance.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of excuse

Noun

Twitch had a simple justification for letting its parent company, Amazon, use streamers’ content to train generative AI by default.

— Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Additionally, searches using Flock’s system will now require search justification by requiring case codes for all law enforcement searches with an exemption for emergency searches, which will still be reviewed.

— Joel Feder, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of justification

Verb

Neither the governor's office nor Wilson's office has explained why those two sections were left out between the May draft and the final trailer bill.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Here, The Athletic explains the latest situation in terms of both outgoings and incomings at St James’ Park.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

Noun

These groups that are coming here are coming for one reason, and that is to provoke a reaction and generate attention.

— Heath Kalb, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of reason

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“Alibi.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alibi. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of alibi

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verb

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Synonyms of alibi

noun

verb

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7 Uncommonly Doubled Letters

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