apologize
Americanverb (used without object)
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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
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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:
“However, I’d take some lost sleep for some gained credibility. I should apologize to both of them, honestly.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
I apologize if the following seems a little hand wavy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Following the settlement, McAfee wrote to Martin to apologize, but also begged her to move on.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
“We sincerely apologize for the concern and distress this announcement causes our customers,” the company said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
“Yes, Lord Ashton. I was on my way upstairs to the nursery, and I, er, slipped. I apologize for the intrusion.”
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
The young intern who shot us with a tranquilizer dart and then inserted that inexact analysis apologizes.
From Slate ● Jun. 13, 2026
Sometimes my mother apologizes to me for not giving me a better father.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026
The complaint also includes an alleged email from the singer, in which he apologizes for his actions and writes, “I am the actual epitome of a desperate dirty ‘old man.’”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 6, 2026
Carmita Reyes, a 39-year-old homemaker, apologizes to her mother-in-law for not cleaning her last year.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025
Maybe if he’s nice to me, if he apologizes, if he promises to go back to how things were before ... maybe then I’ll give him one last small chance.
From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau
She apologized for minimizing Ukrainian suffering during the war.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Taylor Farms quickly issued an audacious statement: “Today, FDA apologized to us,” which is not what the agency did.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Those three contestants have since publicly apologized for their posts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
He publicly apologized but insisted the album could have been far better.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 22, 2026
Besides, if I said something at this point, he probably would have apologized, and I wasn't interested in that.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
In a bid to unite the right before the convention, Flavio this week posted a video apologizing to Michelle, who quickly accepted the gesture of reconciliation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 25, 2026
Video of the incident showed Smith apologizing to Jackson shortly afterward, saying he was acting in character and believed the 25-year-old was a “worker,” meaning he was involved in the wrestling show.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
His mistake is one people often make, not apologizing when the only right thing to do is apologize.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
The case ended with the IRS formally apologizing to Griffin and pledging to improve data security.
From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026
"Sorry," said Tristran, not entirely sure what he was apologizing for.
From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman
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.
