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
Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
That’s not to say there’s no room for course-correction — Karen’s frenemy Gizelle Bryant suddenly learning how to apologize this season is a good example — but that a sudden personality transplant reads as insincere.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024
Rodgers has apologized to the Clark County community, his coworkers and his family.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Kelly apologized, but NBC dumped the show days later.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apologize 
Dictionary Entries Near apologize
Cite this Entry
“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologize. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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apologize
verb
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