Apologies if endless indulgence consumes us (7)
I believe the answer is:
excuses
'apologies' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'endless indulgence consumes us' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'consumes' could be 'uses' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'uses' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'if' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for excuses that I've seen before include "reasons for failure" , "Defences of offensive behaviour" , "Gives reasons for" , "Exempts or condones" , "Defences of objective behaviour" .)