apologize

verb

apol·​o·​gize ə-ˈpä-lə-ˌjīz How to pronounce apologize (audio)
apologized; apologizing

intransitive verb

: to express regret for something done or said : to make an apology
He apologized for his mistake.
She apologized to us for losing her temper.
apologizer noun

Did you know?

Does apologize always mean "to say 'I'm sorry'"?

The verb apologize is a surprisingly recent introduction to the English language when one stops to consider that we have likely been committing deeds which require an apology since time immemorial. Our earliest current record of use comes at the end of the 16th century, in the writing of Thomas Nash:

”….but as the Elephant and the Rinoceros neuer fight but about the best pastures, so will I winne from him his best Patrons, and driue him to confesse himselfe a Conundrum, who now thinks he hath learning inough to proue the saluation of Lucifer; Apologize it for him as many Chutes, Barnesses, or vile riggers, or Fregeuiles as there will.”

The earliest uses of apologize more often meant “to offer an excuse or defense” than “to acknowledge a fault.” The verb came into our language from the noun apology, which similarly had an initial meaning (beginning in the early 16th century) that did not necessarily acknowledge fault (“something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation”).

Examples of apologize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The city of Greenville’s public utility apologized Saturday for a widespread outage whose cause remained a mystery hours after power was restored. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2024 Mizuhara apologized to the team after the Dodgers’ game in Seoul Wednesday, according to ESPN, citing an unnamed Dodgers official. Homero De La Fuente, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 After being contacted by The Washington Post hours after the remark, Trone apologized in a statement. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 The Channel 4 boss has since apologized to the individual. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024 In a March 11 post from the Prince and Princess of Wales account on X, the princess apologized and said the confusion over the photo was due to her editing. Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 The account apologized to Rowling’s daughter for the mistake. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2024 Examples included depictions of Nazi soldiers as Black and Asian and popes as female, for which the company apologized. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024 Mark Douglas, president and CEO of Equus, also apologized and vowed to support flood victims. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apologize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "to speak in justification (of)," from apology + -ize

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of apologize was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near apologize

Cite this Entry

“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

apologize

verb
apol·​o·​gize ə-ˈpäl-ə-ˌjīz How to pronounce apologize (audio)
apologized; apologizing
: to make an apology
apologizer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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