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

• alibi
• defense
• excuse
• justification
• plea
• 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

Earlier this month, Sanchez issued an apology after audio was released that seemingly showed PSOE secretary Santos Cerdan discussing improperly awarding public contracts in exchange for commissions, BBC News reported. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2025

On Tuesday, Kove issued an official apology to Hannah-Kim for the assault at the convention. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025

In the aftermath, Kove issued a public apology to Hannah-Kim. —Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 25 June 2025

The 3-year-old was taken to a hospital for evaluation, and Coffman wrote an apology to her stepdad, according to officers. —Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 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

1533, 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