apologize

verb

Definition of apologizenext
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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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 The hearing included a viral moment where Zuckerberg turned to face the audience, which was filled with families holding photos of children harmed by online abuse, and apologized directly to the families. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Two major golf brands have apologized following backlash over an ad that showed a man forcefully shoving a woman to the ground. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 After facing criticism for selling a children’s circus clown Halloween costume that critics claimed evoked blackface and minstrel shows, Target has publicly apologized. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 Eventually the vice president, who has become president, apologizes to the nation for exploiting nature. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apologize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologize
  1. confess
  2. excuse
  3. explain
  4. justify
Verb
  • After his arrest, Reut initially confessed to shooting Berezovska on Zhykovych’s orders, according to Ukrainian prosecutors.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, confessing to any involvement in Haleigh’s disappearance could also land Trinity in a lot more trouble.
    — Dateline NBC, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of confess
Verb
  • State lawmakers passed legislation this summer to require school principals to excuse student absences related to private, off-campus religious instruction programs.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The abuse of women and girls has long been ignored, excused, protected and even turned into profit.
    — Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • One of the questions, directed to David Hunt, director of finance for Entergy Arkansas, asks him to explain the reasoning for the classification of the payments.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Bernadette explains the racial nuances the Guardians might not know as newcomers to Earth, echoing the landmark 1971 Green Lantern/Green Arrow comic series, which attempts to bring the space cops down to Earth by exposing them to racial strife.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • The government may not decide that Church teaching is insufficiently religious, insufficiently consistent with Catholic doctrine, or insufficiently compelling to justify an ecclesiastical policy.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers of Tuesday's rally said the women were released from ICE detention after a judge granted their habeas corpus petitions, meaning the government was required to justify their continued detention.
    — Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of justify

Browse Nearby Words

apologies
apologize
apologized
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Cite this Entry

“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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