apologize
verb
Did you know?
Does apologize always mean "to say 'I'm sorry'"?
The verb apologize is a surprisingly recent introduction to the English language when one stops to consider that we have likely been committing deeds which require an apology since time immemorial. Our earliest current record of use comes at the end of the 16th century, in the writing of Thomas Nash:
”….but as the Elephant and the Rinoceros neuer fight but about the best pastures, so will I winne from him his best Patrons, and driue him to confesse himselfe a Conundrum, who now thinks he hath learning inough to proue the saluation of Lucifer; Apologize it for him as many Chutes, Barnesses, or vile riggers, or Fregeuiles as there will.”
The earliest uses of apologize more often meant “to offer an excuse or defense” than “to acknowledge a fault.” The verb came into our language from the noun apology, which similarly had an initial meaning (beginning in the early 16th century) that did not necessarily acknowledge fault (“something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation”).
Examples of apologize in a Sentence
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025
Listen to this article A community group is calling for Target to apologize and for St. Paul police to investigate the making of a false report after two young men were accused of having a gun outside the retailer’s Midway store, leading officers to draw their guns and handcuff them.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 28 May 2025
The outlet stated that the plane arrived in Madison around one hour later than scheduled, and Delta apologized to customers for the delay.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 28 May 2025
But those who confess and make reparations – by providing information on how and why the murders took place and where the dead may be buried, performing social work, and apologizing to relatives of the victims - can avoid prison.
—John Otis, NPR, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for apologize
Cite this Entry
“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologize. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apologize
verb
Share