Excuse
Part of speech: noun
Definition: An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgement.
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To forgive; to pardon. To allow to leave. To provide an excuse for; to explain, with the aim of alleviating guilt or negative judgement.
Example sentence: Temptation is a woman's weapon and man's excuse.
Apology
Part of speech: noun
Definition: An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).A formal justification, defence.
Example sentence: My singing voice is somewhere between a drunken apology and a plumbing problem.