apologize

verb

Definition of apologizenext
as in to confess
to express regret for doing or saying something wrong I want to apologize to you for my rude behavior yesterday. We apologize for the mistake and promise that it won't happen again.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apologize Gibson refused to apologize when GLAAD criticized him for behavior some found to be a homophobic in the 1990s. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 Mel Gibson apologized Monday after video surfaced showing the actor mocking a sign language interpreter. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 Everyone in Los Angeles apologized to me about the weather, which was warm, breezy, and ever so slightly overcast—in short, perfect. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 During his own censure item, Saunders apologized to his fellow city council members, city residents, county residents, and Kennell for his comments last month. — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apologize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologize
  1. confess
  2. excuse
  3. explain
  4. justify
Verb
  • Robinson allegedly confessed to multiple people, including his roommate and lover, Lance Twiggs, according to court documents.
    — Michael Ruiz , Jesse Watson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • This included expert witnesses who said the child’s death was an accidental drowning brought on by a seizure and a jailhouse informant who recanted his trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime.
    — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of confess
Verb
  • The jury requested to be excused for the day hours after telling Judge William Sullivan that it was deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous decision.
    — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Long-term resource potential Technical performance alone cannot justify a project; economic balance governs actual field deployment.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The prosecution and defense both gave closing arguments Tuesday during the second preliminary hearing since July, which is a limited purpose proceeding held for a judge to determine whether the charges are justified.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

apologies
apologize
apologized
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Cite this Entry

“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologize. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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