apologize
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to offer an apology or excuse for some fault, insult, failure, or injury.
He apologized for accusing her falsely.
-
to make a formal defense in speech or writing.
verb
-
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
-
apologizesimple
-
apologizessimple
-
have apologizedperfect
-
has apologizedperfect
-
am apologizingprogressive
-
are apologizingprogressive
-
is apologizingprogressive
-
have been apologizingperfect progressive
-
has been apologizingperfect progressive
Past
-
apologizedsimple
-
had apologizedperfect
-
was apologizingprogressive
-
were apologizingprogressive
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Contender
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
He doesn’t apologize for taking action against those he said weren’t doing their jobs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
In the same letter, however, Amarilla threatened to take legal action if Mbappé did not retract and apologize for comments he made in response to one of her posts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
Following the settlement, McAfee wrote to Martin to apologize, but also begged her to move on.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
She would have to approach the house again in the right way and try to apologize.
From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer
The young intern who shot us with a tranquilizer dart and then inserted that inexact analysis apologizes.
From Slate ● Jun. 13, 2026
Bruccoleri later apologizes for making me witness “the horror” of the day.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026
And Nina Turner, another of the activists who led the boycott, said she wasn’t going to start shopping there again unless the company publicly apologizes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 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
A scientist never apologizes for asking questions, she’d say.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
Anthropic apologized and subsequently made those safeguards visible to users.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 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
When our Zoom began, she apologized for the noises outside — construction, dog walkers, gardeners.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Taylor Farms said that the Food and Drug Administration has apologized after the agency walked back an earlier statement that the parasite had been detected on a sample of its lettuce.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
“And they apologized for submitting our texts, which I was planning to post anyway. So. That’s weird.”
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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
That wasn’t the first time she seemed to be apologizing to the audience for being there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
The case ended with the IRS formally apologizing to Griffin and pledging to improve data security.
From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026
The government settled that case, apologizing to Griffin without a resolution of that legal question.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
Akira rooted around in Nova’s desk for a pen and paper and quickly scribbled a note to Nova, apologizing for raiding her house and promising to pay her back for everything.
From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz
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.
