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.

I thought," said Stretton, colouring a little, and almost as though he were excusing himself, "that it would be useless to give the name of a Romanist Prior as a referee to Mr. Heron.

From Under False Pretences A Novel by Sergeant, Adeline

It seemed as if Jonah were excusing himself in public for missing an appointment.

From Jonah by Stone, Louis

Then she feels ashamed, lowers her eyelids, and says as if she were excusing herself: "You come so late!" with a yawn that is half a sham.

From Stories and Pictures by Peretz, Isaac Loeb

He thought they were excusing themselves from partaking of their neighbors’ hospitality because they were too poor to return it, and wanted to set them at their ease.

From Not Like Other Girls by Carey, Rosa Nouchette

But now, since their zeal was mitigated, they were excusing themselves from labors, and were contenting themselves with tranquillity.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 21 of 55 1624 Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the close of the nineteenth century. by Robertson, James Alexander