Synonyms of apologizing

apologizing

verb

present participle of apologize

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.

Related Words

• confessing
• excusing
• explaining
• justifying
• atoning
• rationalizing
• whitewashing
• mitigating
• minimizing
• extenuating
• palliating
• deodorizing
• explaining away
• glossing (over)
• varnishing
• sugarcoating
• accounting (for)
• alleviating
• softening
• glozing (over)
• exonerating
• moderating
• soft-pedaling
• vindicating
• absolving
• tempering
• playing down
• exculpating
• lightening
• lessening
• acquitting
• easing
• clearing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of apologizing

The admittedly nervous executive started Monday’s news conferences by apologizing to the Clippers’ faithful for the aftermath of the Leonard situation. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

The duo had an emotional elimination, with De Laurentiis apologizing to him over and over for being voted off. — Entertainment Weekly, 24 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

The women are all in Jessi’s front yard, crying and hugging and apologizing. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

After a brief taunting incident at the end of the game that was quickly defused by both coaching staffs, Weddle walked across the field, shaking hands and apologizing to Ashby for his team’s actions. — John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Sep. 2026

Target recently received backlash for 'offensive' Halloween costume This comes on the heels of Target apologizing in late August for a Halloween circus clown costume that critics said appeared to conjure Blackface and 19th-century minstrel shows. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Body-camera video released after the July 6, 2024, shooting showed Massey ducking and apologizing moments before Grayson fired three shots inside the home. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Body camera video of the July 2024 encounter showed Massey crouching in her kitchen and apologizing moments before Grayson shot her in the face. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026