apology

noun

apol·​o·​gy ə-ˈpä-lə-jē 

plural apologies

1

a

: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret

a public apology

b

apologies plural : an expression of regret for not being able to do something

I won't be able to attend. Please give them my apologies.

2

a

: something that is said or written to defend something that other people criticize : defense

The book is an apology for capitalism.

b

: excuse sense 2a

3

informal : a poor substitute or example : makeshift

He's a poor apology for a father.

Synonyms of apology

• excuse
• justification
• reason

Choose the Right Synonym for apology

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi 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

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

excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Examples of apology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking of which, apologies to anyone who took my advice to bet the house and kids on Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. —Kevin Sherrington jan. 1, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026

Following the 2012 incident, production was halted, and Chase was reportedly forced to issue an apology. —Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025

Who can forget that iconic theme song and the musical clues from the amazing a cappella group Rockapella (apologies if that theme song is now aggressively stuck in your head)? —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 30 Dec. 2025

But what’s worse is that these are not apologies at all, but something a child would say when caught with their hand in the cookie jar. —Dean Kertesz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apologe "formal defense," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French apologie "public defense in speech or writing," borrowed from Late Latin apologia, borrowed from Greek apología "speech in defense" (Late Greek, "speech in defense of the Christian faith by a martyr, excuse, vindication before God"), derivative (with -ia -ia entry 1) of apologeîsthai "to speak in defense, defend oneself" — more at apologetic entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing apology

• non-apology
• offer no apology for
• without apology

Rhymes for apology

• anthology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

apology

noun

apol·​o·​gy ə-ˈpäl-ə-jē 

plural apologies

1

: an expression of regret (as for a mistake or for rudeness)

2

informal : a poor example

he's a poor apology for a boss