apology

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi denote the reason or reasons offered in explanation or defense of something (as an act, a policy, or a view).

In general use apology implies that one has been, at least apparently, in the wrong; it suggests either a defense that brings forward palliating circumstances or a frank acknowledgment of error with an expression of regret, by way of reparation

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“ Pardon us the interruption of thy devotion . . . ” —“My lord, there needs no such apology”—Shak.

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In its older sense, still found in very discriminating use, it implies no admission of guilt or error but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position that appears wrong to others

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apologies for various . . . doctrines of the faith— Newman

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Apologia is often used in place of apology in this latter sense

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Basil de Selincourt’s apologia for Ruskin in the Contemporary Review—The Nation

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Viscount Grey of Fallodon . . . the other day delivered an apologia for democracy— N. Y. Times

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Excuse implies an intent to remove or avoid blame (as for a neglect of duty, a failure to accomplish an end, or a violation of a rule, law, or custom)

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“Achilles will not to the field tomorrow”—“What’s his excuse?” —Shak.

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we have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single excuse! —Kipling

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his pride . . . does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it— A usten

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Plea stresses argument or appeal to others for understanding or sympathy

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old Hepzibah’s scowl could no longer vindicate itself entirely on the plea of nearsightedness— Hawthorne

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he mumbled something about not having a license [for hunting], and was putting that in for a plea against the expedition— Meredith

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Pretext invariably suggests subterfuge and the offering of one reason or motive in place of the true one

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he made my health a pretext for taking all the heavy chores, long after I was as well as he v/as—Cather

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Alibi in law designates a plea of having been in another place at the time a crime was committed. In its broader use it implies a desire to shift blame or to evade punishment. It commonly connotes plausibility rather than truth in the excuse offered

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federal taxes are already being used as an alibi for cuts in local school budgets— Groves

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Analogous words: defense, justification, vindication (see corresponding verbs at MAINTAIN): extenuation, palliation, glozing, whitewashing (see corresponding verbs at PALLIATE): amends, *reparation