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
He doesn’t apologize for taking action against those he said weren’t doing their jobs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
Her ticket ambassador approached her afterward to apologize.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026
Following the settlement, McAfee wrote to Martin to apologize, but also begged her to move on.
From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026
We apologize for any distress and have taken measures to clean up the room and exterminate the rodents.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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
And when he does he’s very quick to put them down, or in the case of the film he apologizes for showing his grief.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2026
In the pilot, she is insecure and self-effacing; when a car almost runs her over, she apologizes to the driver.
From Salon ● Dec. 15, 2025
He apologizes twice for never doing something about Mr. and Mrs. Kahn.
From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King
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
When our Zoom began, she apologized for the noises outside — construction, dog walkers, gardeners.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Those three contestants have since publicly apologized for their posts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026
I still haven’t apologized for yesterday, and right when we were getting back on track, I dropped the news that I’m moving.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
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
The city issued a statement on Monday, apologizing for the incident and assuring the public that the inclusion of the images was not intentional.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 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
That wasn’t the first time she seemed to be apologizing to the audience for being there.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
Yes, I was fairly incensed last night, but looking back, shouldn’t I be the one apologizing for what I did to her?
From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone
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.
