apologize

[uh-pol-uh-jahyz] / əˈpɒl əˌdʒaɪz /

VERB

express remorse, regret

Synonyms

STRONGEST

atone confess retract withdraw

STRONG

crawl purge square

WEAK

admit guilt ask forgiveness ask pardon beg pardon bow to clear oneself cop a plea cop out excuse oneself get down on knees give satisfaction make amends make reparations make up for make up with offer compensation offer excuse say one is sorry

Antonyms

WEAK

defy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Does Musk have the character to admit what he doesn’t know, to change his mind, or to admit he was wrong and apologize?

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

“Man up and apologize to the residents of Arcadia for letting this happen,” said Tom Beck, a former Arcadia mayor, who argued Wang should have been forced out after the FBI raided her home.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

He didn’t, however, apologize, and the PR snafu kept rumbling.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

"Actually, I was wishing him the opposite of dead, but apologize if you found the image inappropriate," he wrote.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

I wondered if I should apologize to Samir as our weary caravan tottered toward the lights of the lost caravanserai.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Vocabulary lists containing apologize

Bronx Masquerade

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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The Contender

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