apologize

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verb apol·o·gize \ -ˌjīz \

Definition of apologize

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

See apologize defined for English-language learners

See apologize defined for kids

Recent Examples of apologize from the Web

Though several Pennsylvania clergymen called on Wagner to apologize for remarks mentioning Soros’ religion, Wagner has refused.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland Democrats demand Hogan disavow Pa. candidate," 29 Aug. 2017
DEAR CAROLYN: My boyfriend of the past three months recently received an email from a long-ago ex-girlfriend, who apologized for the way things had ended and wanted to catch up with him.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Boyfriend gets email from the one who got away," 25 Aug. 2017
This is a world of pun podcasts, New York Post headlines and competitors in cargo shorts who use names like Punder Enlightening and The Pundance Kid — a world where the worst is often the best and punners never apologize.

— peter sokolowski, New York Times, "How to Speak Perfect Emoji, and Other Language Lessons," 25 Aug. 2017
Though her words were passionate, Gunvalson didn’t apologize to Shannon for making the claims — saying that she herself had been hurt by things that had gone on.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Vicki Gunvalson Doubles Down on Shannon Beador Abuse Claims: ‘I Have Text Messages and Pictures’," 15 Aug. 2017
Earlier this month, as the petition calling for Christopher to avoid ICandy gained signatures — and another petition called for people of color not to do business with the bar — a video emerged of DePiano apologizing for using the N-word.

— michael boren, Philly.com, "'He paid for his mistakes': Entertainers say they will perform at ICandy, despite slur," 15 Aug. 2017
Snyder has apologized for what happened in Flint and described the crisis as a failure at the federal, state and local government levels.

— paul egan, Detroit Free Press, "Flint water crisis to remain an issue through the 2018 governor's election," 10 Aug. 2017
Apology SNCF Chairman Guillaume Pepy apologized on Tuesday in an interview published by regional newspaper Ouest France, saying passengers weren’t sufficiently informed.

— ania nussbaum, Bloomberg.com, "France Takes Aim at SNCF After Nightmare Weekend for Travelers," 2 Aug. 2017
Davis apologized to the robbery victim, who was present in court.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Six years for Hammond man in robbery, theft," 18 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apologize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of apologize

see apology

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

See Words from the same year

APOLOGIZE Defined for Kids

apologize

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verb apol·o·gize \ ə-ˈpä-lə-ˌjīz \

Definition of apologize for Students

apologized; apologizing

:to express regret for having done or said something wrong

Learn More about apologize

See words that rhyme with apologize Spanish Central: Translation of apologize Nglish: Translation of apologize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apologize for Arabic speakers

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apologize

Definition of apologize

apologizer

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Origin and Etymology of apologize

APOLOGIZE Defined for Kids

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