apologize
Americanverb (used without object)
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apologizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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apologized,
past participle, past
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apologizing
present participle
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to offer an apology or excuse for some fault, insult, failure, or injury.
He apologized for accusing her falsely.
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to make a formal defense in speech or writing.
verb
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to express or make an apology; acknowledge failings or faults
-
to make a formal defence in speech or writing
Usage
Spelling tips for apologize The word apologize is hard to spell because it is pronounced like it might be spelled with two as and a j [ uh-pol-uh-jahyz ]. To make it even more confusing, apologize is the American English spelling of the word. In British English, it is spelled with an s: apologise. How to spell apologize: The easiest way to remember how to spell apologize is to break it into three parts: apo - log - ize. The suffix -ize is used to describe kinds of behavior. You can also pronounce it this way in your head to help the spelling stick.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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apologizesimple
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apologizessimple
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have apologizedperfect
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has apologizedperfect
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am apologizingprogressive
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are apologizingprogressive
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is apologizingprogressive
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have been apologizingperfect progressive
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has been apologizingperfect progressive
Past
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apologizedsimple
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had apologizedperfect
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was apologizingprogressive
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were apologizingprogressive
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had been apologizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of apologize
Explanation
When you apologize you admit that you did something wrong, and you say you’re sorry. The point of apologizing is usually to clear the slate and explain why you did what you did. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we even do bad things on purpose. But it can all be okay, so long as we apologize. Apologize comes from the Greek apologizesthai, which might be impossible to pronounce, but which means, “give an account.” When you accidentally run over your neighbor's flowerbed on your bike, you better be ready to apologize.
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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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.
See Examples For:
“You’re my dog. I love you. If I said anything, I apologize like a man. I’m sorry.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2026
He also sought to heal the wounds of Peru's past, urging former president Alberto Fujimori, who was tried and imprisoned for gross human rights violations by the security forces, to "personally apologize" to the victims.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
“When boys see the men in their lives communicate openly, apologize when they are wrong, respect others, manage frustration appropriately, and treat women and other people with dignity, those lessons can be incredibly powerful.”
From Salon ● Oct. 18, 2026
And because you’re no longer expecting rejection, there’s also no need to hedge, apologize or ask for less than what you really want.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
If I were Twig, I wouldn’t apologize for Clarissa, because at least she was walking around and talking and living—but I kept my mouth shut.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
For example, how he treats his little sister, how they handle conflict at home, and whether Everett apologizes when he gets something wrong.
From Salon ● Oct. 18, 2026
In one, apparently written during or after an overseas golfing trip, Harp apologizes for having sprinted after the president for lack of a golf cart.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
Sent the day before, it apologizes for canceling his stay due to scaled-back capacity during opening week.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
As for his volleyball coach, he appreciated Aghassy giving access to his phone for just a few minutes and apologizes for disrupting his speech.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
Once he apologizes and decides to listen to me, things can get better again.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Then, on Sunday, Huang acknowledged in a letter to staff that he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologized for violating his family’s and his employees’ trust.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026
Nvidia shares fell 4.3% Monday after Mr. Huang on Sunday admitted to and apologized for his affair.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
In a message to company employees released Sunday, Huang acknowledged having an affair and apologized to both his family and company staff.
From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2026
“And that became part of the story,” Melvin said, before confirming that he had apologized for the spilled chocolate when it had happened.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Fischer apologized for his hasty words, and both men finally got down to business.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Traditionally, former colonial powers have skirted the issue, expressing regret for the industrial-scale human trafficking but never apologizing for fear that admitting guilt will open the door to a wave of compensation claims.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
Selma Blair is apologizing following an alleged violent medical episode that unfolded on a Delta airlines flight earlier this month.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Days later, Raman began apologizing, acknowledging to CNN that the mention of the former chief’s name “causes real pain” for many in Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026
The king has acknowledged this reality but has stopped short of apologizing.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
As Doha arrived, he could hear Sunjin’s mom apologizing and asking for mercy.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
