Excuseism

A logical fallacy, cognitive bias, and rhetorical tactic in which a person seeks any possible excuse to dismiss, minimize, or justify atrocities, abuses, or systemic harms—particularly those associated with liberal democracy, capitalism, Western institutions, or other dominant structures—by pointing to supposedly good features that are irrelevant to the harm being discussed. Excuseism deflects critique by shifting focus to abstract virtues (e.g., “checks and balances,” “freedom of information”) while ignoring concrete suffering. It treats the existence of some beneficial mechanisms as a blanket justification for all failures, effectively arguing that because a system is not the worst possible, its abuses are excusable. The tactic is common in political debates where defending the status quo requires evading accountability.

Example: “When confronted with evidence of Western-backed human rights abuses, he pivoted to praising ‘public access to information’—classic excuseism, using irrelevant virtues to excuse the inexcusable.”

Excuseism by Dumu The Void March 25, 2026

affair excuses 

What you tell the wife when you are with your whore

- playing golf

- going for a long walk with the dogs

- at a business meeting

- going for a long lunch in the country with the best friend (one who also has a mistress)

- working late

- meeting some old boys in London

Girlfriend : i didn't see you on Thursday night. can we hook up at the weekend

Adulterer : Sure. I can get away. i'll just give the wife one of my affair excuses

affair excuses by farnham philanderer January 2, 2017

Excusememasen 

A hybrid of 'Excuse Me' and the Japanese word 'Sumimasen,' which means 'Pardon Me,' it is a term used by wannabe Japanese-English bilinguals who have done something stupid, want to only marginally ask for forgiveness, and rejoice in thinking they sound witty.

An American exiting a crowded train in Tokyo: "Excusememasen!"
Japanese collective spirit: "..sigh.."

Clifton: "Ah, did I spill my beer on you? Excusememasen!"
Rika: "ha.. vely funny..and yes you did.."

Excusememasen by MKDB September 10, 2013

Whip'n Excuses 

When someone is such a sore loser, they start whipping out one excuse after another. Sadly, one excuse barely ends before the next one begins.

"That wasn't fair! Something's wrong with my controller! You're playing with the character I wanted!"

"Ok, I get it! You don't need to keep Whip'n Excuses."

Whip'n Excuses by C-Money666 January 11, 2020

No Excuses 

Getting on with your life...not letting things get in your way...being positive and optimistic...not looking for a reason to avoid something...not wasting an opportunity...

There's 'no excuses' for not making the most of your life.

No Excuses by saintjohn February 11, 2013

All I hear is my name is (name) and i make excuses 

Used to make fun of someone making an excuse for being bad at something or for something bad that happened to them because of his or her own fault or action

Note: In "All I hear is my name is (name) and i make excuses." replace name with persons name

Alex just lost at foosball:

Alex: "God. You have too much luck and the table is slanted."

Julio:"All I hear is my name is Alex and I make excuses."

All I hear is my name is (name) and i make excuses by excuses... July 1, 2009

excuses are like assholes 

Excuses are like assholes. Everybody has one, and they all stink.

Me: "Sorry, I was doing some calculations, and writing a recommendation letter and didn't get a chance to work on the proposal". You: "Excuses are like assholes. Everybody has one, and they all stink."

excuses are like assholes by rbraswell November 6, 2008