apologize
verb
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
Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
In July, the social media company apologized after Grok posted a series of antisemitic posts in response to a post on the deadly Texas floods which killed over 100 people, including young girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
Before Hellerstein imposed the sentence, Javice stood to express remorse and to apologize.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
In February, Arizona apologized after its fans directed a similar chant at BYU’s basketball team and fans after a game in Tucson that ended in a controversial Cougars victory.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apologize
Cite this Entry
“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologize. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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apologize
verb
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