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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Recent Examples of apologize
The sheriff apologized at the start of his news conference Tuesday, acknowledging that his every word is now under heavy scrutiny.
—
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Hospital officials later apologized to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and said police officers are allowed to carry weapons while seeking treatment.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
After the loss, Allen broke down in tears and apologized to his teammates.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Manning apologized to Gordon's family for any confusion that occurred when prosecutors explained the plea to them and offered her condolences for their loss.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apologize
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Hospital officials later apologized to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and said police officers are allowed to carry weapons while seeking treatment.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
After the loss, Allen broke down in tears and apologized to his teammates.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Manning apologized to Gordon's family for any confusion that occurred when prosecutors explained the plea to them and offered her condolences for their loss.
—Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apologize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologize
Verb
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The traveler confessed to extorting others to commit self-harm, the memo said.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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In the club and outside it, the two men stayed up late discussing the merits of Shelley, confessing their doubts about the existence of God, and making plans to publish a joint collection of poetry.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Craig did not stay to field questions from the media, respectfully excused for what a spokesperson described as fatigue from a long day.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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So people tend to define antisemitism in a way that excuses their side, and that throws all of the blame on the other side.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Whitwam explains that Catalina mule deer hunting was traditionally reserved for island residents and their guests, or hunters who were willing to book with a local guide.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
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Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Tesla has worked to secure millions in state and local funding for its Semi, while many in the trucking industry question whether the vehicle’s uneven development timeline justifies such heavy public investment.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Those documents will reveal the grounds the federal government used to justify the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election records last month.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologize. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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