Filed from 3 published puzzles

EXCUSE

Set to 3 different clues across 3 published puzzles, most often "The dog ate my homework," e.g. — The New York Times, Tuesday, 28 November 2006.

6 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

"The dog ate my homework," e.g.once
The New York Times — Tuesday, 28 November 2006
Rationalizationonce
The New York Times — Monday, 11 July 2005
Let goonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 9 June 1996

Other answers to these clues

AXE3 letters
AXED4 letters
CAN3 letters
CEDE4 letters
CUT3 letters
DROP4 letters
FIRE4 letters
FIRED5 letters
FREE4 letters
FREED5 letters
LAMEEXCUSE10 letters
MANUMIT7 letters