exculpation

exculpation
    n 1: a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to
         keep a promise etc.; "he kept finding excuses to stay";
         "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his
         transparent self-justification was unacceptable" [syn:
         {excuse}, {alibi}, {exculpation}, {self-justification}]
    2: the act of freeing from guilt or blame
    

Exculpation \Ex`cul*pa"tion\, n. [Cf. LL. exculpatio.]
   The act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime; that
   which exculpates; excuse.
   [1913 Webster]

         These robbers, however, were men who might have made
         out a strong case in exculpation of themselves.
                                                  --Southey.
   [1913 Webster]
    

39 Moby Thesaurus words for "exculpation":
      absolution, acquittal, acquittance, amnesty, clearance, clearing,
      compurgation, destigmatization, destigmatizing, discharge,
      disculpation, dismissal, excuse, exemption, exoneration,
      explanation, forgiveness, grace, immunity, indemnity,
      justification, pardon, purgation, purging, quietus, quittance,
      rationalization, redemption, rehabilitation, reinstatement,
      release, remission, remission of sin, reprieve, restoration,
      shrift, sparing, verdict of acquittal, vindication