Exempt from providing an explanation
I believe the answer is:
excuse
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'exempt from' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'an explanation' is the second definition.
(excuse is a kind of explanation)
'providing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for excuse that I've seen before include "Forgive - allow to pass - plea" , "Upstanding community members" , "Free - apology" , "Seek to justify (a fault)" , "Mitigate; forgive" .)