Thesaurus results for APOLOGIZE

apologize

verb

Definition of apologize

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

Relevance

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 Raki McGregor ‘not going to apologize’ CMS’ contract with SYDKIMYL expired in January. — Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2026 Timberlake publicly apologized to both Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026 Tebas and Mbappé, who apologized in three different languages, are just the latest. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Simmons, who later apologized, has yet to play a down this season. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apologize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologize

Verb

Nancy Wilcox remains missing, and Pender said Bundy confessed to killing her.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Bundy was executed in 1989 after confessing to the killings of at least 30 people.

— Hannah Sampson, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of confess

Verb

Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Respond to what’s been said, and let the other person explain the rest.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

India has a strong structural growth story, but investors still need earnings growth to justify the valuation premium, Luchnikava-Schorsch said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
And in each case the president attempted to explain and justify his policies—standards Trump has routinely failed to meet.

— Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

apologies

apologize

apologized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologize. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of apologize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

abandon

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes