apologize
verb
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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
Kieran McGirl, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024
Speaking before he was sentenced, Rocha apologized to the judge, the United States and his family for his actions.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024
The new features come after an extraordinary moment at a Senate hearing in January, when Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families of kids who have been the victims of online abuse on the social giant’s platforms.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024
Just two days later, without prompting, J. Cole apologized profusely in public.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024
By the time Taylor-Johnson came aboard with her husband in the lead role, Frey had long since apologized and the literary furor had died down, but so had most of the interest in the film, which received a modest independent release and middling reviews.
—Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024
Last week, Meta apologized after blocking links by a nonprofit newspaper and an independent journalist who published a report that criticized Facebook and accused it of suppressing posts related to climate change.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024
Trump’s rich friends Nelson Peltz, the billionaire investor who just lost his battle over the direction of Walt Disney Co., prominently apologized after Jan. 6 for his previous support of Trump.
—David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Two days later, Cannon apologized on X, formerly Twitter.
—Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apologize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near apologize
Cite this Entry
“Apologize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologize. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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apologize
verb
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