verb

seek to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offence); try to justify.

he did nothing to hide or excuse Jacob’s cruelty

justify,defend,make excuses for,make a case for,explain (away),rationalize,condone,vindicate,warrant,mitigate,palliate,apologize for,forgive,overlook,disregard,ignore,pass over,turn a blind eye to,turn a deaf ear to,wink at,blink at,indulge,tolerate,sanction,extenuate

noun

a reason or explanation given to justify a fault or offence.

there can be no excuse for any further delay

justification,defence,reason,explanation,mitigating circumstances,mitigation,extenuation,palliation,vindication,grounds,cause,basis,call,argument,apology,apologia,plea