apology
noun
apol·o·gy
ə-ˈpä-lə-jē 
plural apologies
1
a
: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret
a public apology
b
apologies plural
: an expression of regret for not being able to do something
I won't be able to attend. Please give them my apologies.
2
a
: something that is said or written to defend something that other people criticize : defense
The book is an apology for capitalism.
b
3
informal
: a poor substitute or example : makeshift
He's a poor apology for a father.
Examples of apology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Immediately after The Star’s apology, the newspaper established the Black Community Advisory Board.
—
The Star’s Leadership Team, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2024
Most were excited by the book, but some took issue with Babitz and Didion being paired together, leading Polson to issue an apology.
—Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Last May, two years after issuing an apology for her depiction of autism in the 2020 film Music, Sia shared that had recently been diagnosed with autism.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2024
In response to the allegations, Cohen issued an apology on X (formerly known as Twitter).
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
The father of an Uvalde school shooting victim called out Walmart earlier this month for offensive t-shirts, prompting the retail giant to issue an apology.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
With apologies to the original theme, the result doesn’t keep its head above water, much less make a wave.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Hearne went on to question the validity of Schneider’s apology.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
Wallen issued a public apology afterward, then released a photo of himself smiling next to the bar’s owner, Kid Rock.
—Avi Selk, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
The Star’s Leadership Team, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2024
Most were excited by the book, but some took issue with Babitz and Didion being paired together, leading Polson to issue an apology.
—Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024
Last May, two years after issuing an apology for her depiction of autism in the 2020 film Music, Sia shared that had recently been diagnosed with autism.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2024
In response to the allegations, Cohen issued an apology on X (formerly known as Twitter).
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
The father of an Uvalde school shooting victim called out Walmart earlier this month for offensive t-shirts, prompting the retail giant to issue an apology.
—USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024
With apologies to the original theme, the result doesn’t keep its head above water, much less make a wave.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Hearne went on to question the validity of Schneider’s apology.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024
Wallen issued a public apology afterward, then released a photo of himself smiling next to the bar’s owner, Kid Rock.
—Avi Selk, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apology.' 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 apology
Cite this Entry
“Apology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apology. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apology
noun
apol·o·gy
ə-ˈpäl-ə-jē
plural apologies
1
: an expression of regret (as for a mistake or for rudeness)
2
: a poor example
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