as in confessing
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 apologizing
Topline Outdoor apparel company Patagonia, famous for its progressive activism, offered to drop its trademark lawsuit against Pattie Gonia if the drag performer stops selling merchandise and using the company’s logos, while also apologizing for any harm the suit caused within the LGBTQ community.
—
Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
King’s revelation prompted Bumpus to issue a statement Wednesday, apologizing to King and their two children.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
After King brought up the cheating scandal in a 2016 interview, Bumpus released a statement apologizing for his decision.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
Kellerman is now apologizing for the remark.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Shyanne and Jinx both show a lot of growth in the lead-up to the court hearing, with Shyanne apologizing to Elizabeth and Jinx apologizing to Susie.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Steven Molo, Musk’s lead counsel, began by apologizing on his client’s behalf.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 May 2026
In January 2025, Gascón gave several statements and interviews defending herself over the controversial old tweets, eventually apologizing and vowing silence on social media.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Even more frightening is a judge apologizing to an assassin who risked the lives of 2,000 people while attempting to assassinate the president and his cabinet.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
King’s revelation prompted Bumpus to issue a statement Wednesday, apologizing to King and their two children.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
After King brought up the cheating scandal in a 2016 interview, Bumpus released a statement apologizing for his decision.
—Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026
Kellerman is now apologizing for the remark.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Shyanne and Jinx both show a lot of growth in the lead-up to the court hearing, with Shyanne apologizing to Elizabeth and Jinx apologizing to Susie.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Steven Molo, Musk’s lead counsel, began by apologizing on his client’s behalf.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 May 2026
In January 2025, Gascón gave several statements and interviews defending herself over the controversial old tweets, eventually apologizing and vowing silence on social media.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Even more frightening is a judge apologizing to an assassin who risked the lives of 2,000 people while attempting to assassinate the president and his cabinet.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologizing
Verb
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Over at JoAnne and Gary's, Orson is confessing to his stepdad about stealing his mom's gun.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
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Globally, data shows young men are comfortable confessing to AI chatbots.—
Ashoka,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Rather than prompting examination of the systems in which those outcomes occur, a common counterargument is that attention to diversity risks lowering standards or excusing poor performance.—
Vanessa Grubbs,
STAT,
1 June 2026
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After excusing herself briefly from the conversation, Patricia returns to find the other guests whispering to Shelby about Patricia’s history of dishonesty about almost being a Boogeyman victim.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Narula discussed the potential links between GLP-1s and breast cancer, explaining that after menopause, fat cells produce estrogen throughout the body, and higher levels of estrogen could translate to a higher risk of breast cancer.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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After taking fans along to a series of appointments, Mellencamp posted a video of her doctor explaining the status of her disease.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The business momentum is clear here, justifying the stock’s strong performance over the past four to five weeks.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
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Perhaps the Thunder would see the upside of a SGA-Giannis-J-Dub core as justifying the risk of cutting down their depth to that extent.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apologizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologizing. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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