excuse
verb (used with object)
to regard or judge with forgiveness or indulgence; pardon or forgive; overlook (a fault, error, etc.).
was excusing
-
past progressiveof excuse.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nobody was excusing violence or suggesting that free speech be curtailed.
From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2015
“He made a mistake,” Olanna said, and then wished she hadn’t because she didn’t want Kainene to think she was excusing Odenigbo.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I was excusing myself for my ill-timed jests.
From Caesar's Wife A comedy in three acts by W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
Now she realised that Fay was saying even more than she had done on that occasion, was excusing herself less, was blaming others less.
From Prisoners Fast Bound In Misery And Iron by Mary Cholmondeley
The voice sank, and Hilliard could only gather from observance of the man's face that he was excusing himself in fervent tones for the necessity of departure.
From Eve's Ransom by George Gissing
