Synonyms of apologize

apologize

verb

as in to confess

to express regret for doing or saying something wrong

I want to apologize to you for my rude behavior yesterday.

We apologize for the mistake and promise that it won't happen again.

Related Words

• confess
• excuse
• explain
• justify
• atone
• explain away
• rationalize
• mitigate
• extenuate
• minimize
• gloss (over)
• palliate
• whitewash
• account (for)
• deodorize
• sugarcoat
• varnish
• alleviate
• soften
• exonerate
• play down
• temper
• vindicate
• gloze (over)
• lighten
• moderate
• absolve
• exculpate
• soft-pedal
• acquit
• ease
• lessen
• clear

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of apologize

Criticism of the video prompted Matt Hagee to apologize and state that the church does not endorse Reawaken America’s views. — Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Oct. 2026

Brown apologized on behalf of Jones Road, noting that her team ran a trademark search that didn’t turn up any previous ownership of the name. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026

In one instance, a Minnesota hotel that refused to let immigration officers stay there in January apologized after public criticism from DHS, saying the decision violated its internal policies. — Anthony Izaguirre, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

But students at Howard University say the school needs to do more than apologize. — Ashley Paul, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026