apology
Americannoun
plural
apologies-
a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another.
He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.
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a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine.
- Synonyms:
- vindication
-
(initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.
-
an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift.
The tramp wore a sad apology for a hat.
noun
-
an oral or written expression of regret or contrition for a fault or failing
-
a poor substitute or offering
-
another word for apologia
Related Words
See excuse.
Other Word Forms
- reapology noun
- superapology noun
Etymology
Origin of apology
First recorded in 1500–50; earlier apologie, late Middle English (from Middle French ), from Late Latin apologia, from Greek apología, “speech in self-defense; defense,” apologia
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.
Gonzalez took down the video and later issued a public apology.
From Los Angeles Times
Montoya informed his manager about what happened after the video was uploaded to their channel and she sent apology messages to each of them.
From Los Angeles Times
The prime minister instead delivered an apology specifically to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein for having "believed Mandelson's lies" and appointed him to the UK's top diplomatic posting.
From BBC
It contained no admission of liability or apology.
From BBC
"There's not even been an apology," she said.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
