What is another word for making excuses?
Pronunciation: [mˌe͡ɪkɪŋ ɛkskjˈuːsɪz] (IPA) 
Making excuses is a common phenomenon that we all engage in from time to time. It is a strategy we use to avoid taking responsibility for our actions when we fall short of our expectations. Synonyms for making excuses include rationalizing, justifying, explaining away, defending, alibiing, and mitigating. Rationalizing involves providing reasons that make our actions seem reasonable, while justifying involves showing that our actions were necessary under the circumstances. Explaining away involves minimizing the impact of our actions, defending involves protecting ourselves from criticism, alibiing involves providing a false excuse, and mitigating involves lessening the severity of our actions. Regardless of the particular synonym used, making excuses is generally frowned upon and can be a barrier to personal growth and development.
