apologize

[ uh-pol-uh-jahyz ]

verb (used without object)

, a·pol·o·gized, a·pol·o·giz·ing.

1. to offer an apology or excuse for some fault, insult, failure, or injury:

   He apologized for accusing her falsely.

2. to make a formal defense in speech or writing.

apologize

/ əˈpɒləˌdʒaɪz /

verb

1. to express or make an apology; acknowledge failings or faults
2. to make a formal defence in speech or writing

Derived Forms

• aˈpoloˌgizer, noun

Other Words From

• a·polo·gizer noun
• rea·polo·gize verb (used with object) reapologized reapologizing
• una·polo·gizing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apologize¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; apolog(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

The toy company quickly apologized for the gaffe, calling the misprint an “unfortunate error.”

From Los Angeles Times

Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death," she said. "

From Salon

Wang, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, apologized Wednesday in court.

From Salon

So I met her where she’s at, and I felt like she surprised me when she came in — you haven’t seen this — and apologized to me.”

From Los Angeles Times

By acknowledging their feelings and apologizing, parents can demonstrate effective anger management strategies for their children to use when they get too angry, Clark says.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• atone
• confess
• retract
• withdraw

How Do You Spell Apologize?

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.