as in excuse
an explanation that frees one from fault or blame her standard apology for her chronic tardiness is the ever-present congestion on the highways

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun apology contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of apology are alibi, apologia, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

When could alibi be used to replace apology?

The meanings of alibi and apology largely overlap; however, alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

When would apologia be a good substitute for apology?

Although the words apologia and apology have much in common, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When is excuse a more appropriate choice than apology?

The synonyms excuse and apology are sometimes interchangeable, but excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

When might plea be a better fit than apology?

In some situations, the words plea and apology are roughly equivalent. However, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

Where would pretext be a reasonable alternative to apology?

While in some cases nearly identical to apology, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

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 apology The video was aired on CNN last year and led to a crush of headlines and coverage that prompted Combs at the time to issue a video apology. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 June 2025 The company issued an apology and pledged to change its policies. Katia Riddle, NPR, 24 June 2025 Store employees posted apology signs for out-of-stock items and explained delays. Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 Aryna Sabalenka’s follow-up apology about her comments following the loss to Coco Gauff in the French Open final. Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for apology
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apology
Noun
  • It’s been tough to shuffle the pitching rotation, and tough to shuttle guys back and forth from Triple-A to make up for injuries, but the Mets aren’t using injuries as an excuse.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • The incident offered Russia an excuse to send in military forces and grab control of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
    Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s predecessors feared that strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, regardless of their tactical success, could give Tehran the political justification to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and openly pursue nuclear arms, driving its program further underground and out of sight.
    Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • The country's President Vladimir Putin met with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow on June 23 and said there was no justification for the U.S. attack and called aggression against Iran groundless.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • In Virginia, Democratic turnout rose even without much of a reason to vote.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • This rise in great white shark sightings off Cape Cod is due to a few reasons.
    Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apology.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apology. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on apology

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!