| relieve(verb, defend, spare, pardon, forgive) |
| remit(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| routine(noun, cause, reason, trick, escape) |
| screen |
| sham |
| show cause(verb, expression, support, favor, sustain) |
| shrive(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| shrug off(verb, expression, defend, explain, spare) |
| smoke screen |
| smokescreen |
| song(reason, trick, explanation, excuse, story) |
| song and dance(noun, expression, idiom, cause, reason) |
| spare(defend, relieve, pardon, forgive, acquit) |
| speak in favor(verb, expression, idiom, support, favor) |
| square(verb, support, favor, sustain, confirm) |
| squirm out of(expression, idiom) |
| stalking-horse |
| stand up for(verb, expression, idiom, phrasal verb, support) |
| substantiate(verb, support, favor, sustain, confirm) |
| support(defend, explain, substantiate, validate, legitimize) |