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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 After a week of both sides-ing too close to the sun, Ed Sheeran apologized to his fans. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2026 Converse is apologizing after landing in hot water this week after photos from two separate ad campaigns were criticized by social media users after aspects of the photos drew comparisons to Ku Klux Klan hoods and lynching imagery. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 An Australian indoor fitness athlete apologized Thursday for continuing to participate in a recent competition after apparently soiling herself. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 The Rangers have reasons to apologize to their fans, but the state of the Astros, Angels, A’s and Mariners is not one of them. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apologize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologize
  1. confess
  2. excuse
  3. explain
  4. justify
Verb
  • McVay finally confessed to that after beating the New York Giants in a game his team showed much more energy and better execution.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Deputy Attorney General Ellen Meilaender said Allen confessed multiple times to the killings, and witnesses identified Allen based on his clothing that day.
    — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of confess
Verb
  • Unable to picture evil as anything other than devilish, critics accused Arendt of excusing the perpetrators and blaming the victims.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • That is not to excuse the recklessness behind the wheel which could feasibly have led to a more serious, potentially tragic incident on the M25 and M3 motorways.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • One month before the Pentagon announced its first equity stake in a company, its top lawyer asked the White House to explain why the deal wouldn’t break the law.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Kane also introduced some new styles, like the asymmetrical axe bag in white leather, and the chop, a smaller, curved shoulder bag style, both centered on the idea of cutting away at a Mulberry tree to promote new growth, Kane explained backstage.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • The questions to answer The FDA laid out key questions for the committee to answer about Galleri, centered on whether the clinical data show the test detects cancers reliably and early enough to justify use of such terms in its marketing.
    — Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Meloni’s government argues that rising electricity demand, climate targets and energy security concerns exposed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine justify bringing nuclear energy back into the country’s power mix.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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