apologize

verb

Definition of apologizenext
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.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apologize The founders of Bellwood Coffee publicly apologized and recommissioned local artist Tommy Bronx to repaint his original work. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The Storm publicly apologized, while the WNBA fined Keaton an undisclosed amount and barred her from Seattle’s next five home games. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Grayson threatened to shoot her and Massey apologized before ducking down behind a counter and covering her face with what appeared to be a red oven mitt, the video shows. — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 31 July 2026 The Storm apologized Wednesday for the interaction after podcast host Brandi Kruse shared the video of the girls on Tuesday night. — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apologize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologize
  1. confess
  2. excuse
  3. explain
  4. justify
Verb
  • The earliest fire to which authorities allege Farinacci confessed to last week — and investigators were able to corroborate — happened on July 6, 2025, near Centennial Trail.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • During the interview, Davis allegedly confessed to his role in Shakur's murder.
    — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of confess
Verb
  • The Supreme Court ruled parents were entitled to notice and an opportunity to excuse their children from instruction that substantially burdened their religious exercise.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For me, the larger question is not whether artistic behavior excuses transgression, but how to hold artistic achievement and ethical accountability together without allowing one to erase the other.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • Some news stations would run a warning for viewers before the ad would air, as well as explain the FCC law requiring its airing.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Find out what the bill does when one workflow triples its tool calls after a model upgrade, because that is the scenario that turns a modest platform fee into a line item the CFO wants explained.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Southampton’s status as one of England’s premier talent houses is justified by the top of this list thanks to their sale of a 16-year-old Theo Walcott to Arsenal in January 2006.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Crump also argued that the criminal charges subsequently brought against Hackett were only brought to justify the force Arellano had already used.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

apologies
apologize
apologized
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Cite this Entry

“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologize. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on apologize

Nglish: Translation of apologize for Spanish Speakers

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