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
Ted Danson is apologizing for roasting onetime paramour Whoopi Goldberg while wearing blackface.
—
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Ortega later posted a video on Instagram, admitting to the allegations and apologizing.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
After her removal from the villa, Yulissa issued a statement apologizing for her behavior.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 2 June 2026
Oftentimes, people associate apologizing too much as a sign of incompetence, weakness or even behavior that’s annoying.
—Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
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
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Ortega later posted a video on Instagram, admitting to the allegations and apologizing.
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
After her removal from the villa, Yulissa issued a statement apologizing for her behavior.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 2 June 2026
Oftentimes, people associate apologizing too much as a sign of incompetence, weakness or even behavior that’s annoying.
—Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 2 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologizing
Verb
-
That it was spliced with footage of his secret ex-girlfriend, Meija Moreno, confessing to Ciara Miller and Kyle Cooke via FaceTime that West had lied like crazy about their relationship status portended certain doom.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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Randle was seen crying on multiple occasions as evidence was presented, including recordings of her confessing to hitting Dinkins.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The problem with ‘unforgiveness’ Forgiveness is not about excusing harm or forgetting it.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
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The jury was seated after three days of the selection process, with Collin County Judge John Roach excusing 150 people after meeting with attorneys Wednesday afternoon.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Alsace spent centuries moving between French and German rule — explaining why this indisputably French cake so closely resembles similar treats from across the Germanic world.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
In explaining his vote to deny the batch plant, Flores cited its proximity to homes and Esperanza Elementary School.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
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But Adraee has been accused of justifying the killing of some journalists.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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But Adraee has been accused of justifying the killing of some journalists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apologizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologizing. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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