as in confessing
to express regret for doing or saying something wrong
I want to apologize to you for my rude behavior yesterday. We apologize for the mistake and promise that it won't happen again.
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Recent Examples of apologizing
The piece responded to Kiffin saying, and later apologizing for saying, that some black families were uncomfortable with their sons and grandsons playing for Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi.
—
Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Steven Molo, Musk’s lead counsel, began by apologizing on his client’s behalf.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 May 2026
In January 2025, Gascón gave several statements and interviews defending herself over the controversial old tweets, eventually apologizing and vowing silence on social media.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Even more frightening is a judge apologizing to an assassin who risked the lives of 2,000 people while attempting to assassinate the president and his cabinet.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
On Friday, the zoo resumed business, with officials bowing to visitors and apologizing for the trouble caused.
—CBS News, 1 May 2026
Macedo followed with thoughtful remarks while apologizing because her giggling son kept climbing into her arms.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The settlement includes an email the commission sent to SpaceX on April 8, formally apologizing for an October 2024 meeting in which officials voted 6-4 to reject a launch increase for the Falcon 9 rockets.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also drew opprobrium last month after apologizing to Arab neighbors and declaring there would be no more attacks against them.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Steven Molo, Musk’s lead counsel, began by apologizing on his client’s behalf.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 May 2026
In January 2025, Gascón gave several statements and interviews defending herself over the controversial old tweets, eventually apologizing and vowing silence on social media.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Even more frightening is a judge apologizing to an assassin who risked the lives of 2,000 people while attempting to assassinate the president and his cabinet.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 May 2026
On Friday, the zoo resumed business, with officials bowing to visitors and apologizing for the trouble caused.
—CBS News, 1 May 2026
Macedo followed with thoughtful remarks while apologizing because her giggling son kept climbing into her arms.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
The settlement includes an email the commission sent to SpaceX on April 8, formally apologizing for an October 2024 meeting in which officials voted 6-4 to reject a launch increase for the Falcon 9 rockets.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also drew opprobrium last month after apologizing to Arab neighbors and declaring there would be no more attacks against them.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologizing
Verb
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The lawsuit also claims officers choked Day and slammed him against a wall, eventually coercing him into confessing to killing Irving and Garcia.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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In October 2014, TMZ obtained an audio recording of Collins allegedly confessing in a 2012 joint therapy session with then-wife Faye Grant to molesting underage girls.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
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After excusing herself briefly from the conversation, Patricia returns to find the other guests whispering to Shelby about Patricia’s history of dishonesty about almost being a Boogeyman victim.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
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The Appeals Court affirmed his convictions Tuesday and denied his motion for a new trial, overruling claims that there were issues with the judge not excusing a juror for cause and the defense counsel was ineffective.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
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There will also be a letter to take to their healthcare provider explaining the situation.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
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Mathematicians take notice The proof underwent external review by mathematicians who also produced a companion paper explaining the argument and its broader importance.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Easily the riskiest entry of the year so far, this expensive — $200 million but who’s counting — Amazon MGM Studios gamble, powered by Ryan Gosling’s star turn as a lonely astronaut, has made $573 million globally, justifying its steep costs.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
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Quiet-luxury proponents would often speak of frequency of use and cost per wear in justifying a four-figure black wool sweater.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apologizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologizing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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