excuse crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're looking for solutions to the "excuse crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We provide a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you unstuck.
Solutions for "excuse crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
PLEA: A formal statement, especially in a court of law, stating guilt or innocence, often used as an excuse or defense.
5 Letters
ALIBI: A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place, serving as an excuse.
6 Letters
REASON: A cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event; often serves as an excuse.
PARDON: The action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error or offense, serving as an official excuse from punishment.
7 Letters
PRETEXT: A reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason; an artificial excuse.
APOLOGY: A spoken or written regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure; an expression of excuse.
8 Letters
MITIGATE: To make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the gravity of an offense or mistake, often as an excuse or justification.
9 Letters
RATIONALE: A set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or belief; a fundamental reason or explanation serving as a justification or excuse.
More About "excuse crossword clue"
The clue "excuse" is a classic in crosswords due to its rich tapestry of meanings. An excuse can be a justification for an action, a reason given to avoid blame, or even an act of forgiveness. This versatility means that clues related to "excuse" can lead to a wide array of synonyms, making it both challenging and rewarding to solve.
When you encounter a clue that points to an 'excuse', consider the specific nuance the setter might be aiming for. Are they looking for a legal defense (like an 'ALIBI'), a formal expression of regret ('APOLOGY'), or a underlying reason ('REASON' or 'RATIONALE')? The surrounding letters in your grid are often your best hint for which specific meaning is intended.
Understanding these different facets of 'excuse' is key to mastering this type of crossword clue. Crossword setters often play on these subtle differences, using context clues to guide you to the precise answer they're looking for, whether it's a short 'PLEA' or a more elaborate 'VINDICATION' (though not listed on this page, it's another possibility).
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Letter Count First: Always match potential answers with the number of available squares in the crossword grid. This is your most immediate filter.
- Think Synonyms & Antonyms: For a clue like "excuse", brainstorm all possible synonyms (reason, alibi, pardon) and even consider if the clue is asking for an antonym or a word related to the *lack* of an excuse, though less common for direct clues.
- Context is King: Look at the other words already filled in around the clue. Do they suggest a legal term, an emotional state, or a logical explanation? The context often reveals the specific interpretation of "excuse" the setter intended.
- Check for Wordplay: Sometimes, "excuse" might be part of a pun or a cryptic clue. Be open to less literal interpretations if direct synonyms don't fit.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between an 'alibi' and a 'plea' in crosswords related to 'excuse'?
An 'ALIBI' (5 letters) typically refers to a defense where one claims to have been elsewhere, serving as an excuse for not committing an act. A 'PLEA' (4 letters) is a formal statement in court, either admitting or denying guilt, which can also function as a form of excuse or defense.
How can I find synonyms for 'excuse' when solving crossword clues?
When encountering a clue for 'excuse', think about words that mean 'reason for', 'justification', 'pardon', 'apology', 'pretext', or 'absolution'. Consider the number of letters and the surrounding words in the grid to narrow down the possibilities. Common answers include REASON, ALIBI, PARDON, and PRETEXT.
Why are there so many different answers for a clue like 'excuse'?
Words like 'excuse' are polysemous, meaning they have multiple related meanings or synonyms depending on context. In crosswords, setters can use any of these nuances (e.g., excuse as a justification, as a pardon, or as a flimsy reason), leading to a wide variety of possible answers across different letter counts and specific clue phrasings.