apologize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
    apologise.
    • I apologized for being late
    • He apologized for the many typoes
  2. verb defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
    rationalize; apologise; rationalise; excuse; justify.
    • rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior
    • he rationalized his lack of success

WordNet

A*pol"o*gize intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. apologiser.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Apologized present participle & verbal noun Apologizing
Definitions
  1. To make an apology or defense. Dr. H. More.
  2. To make an apology or excuse; to make acknowledgment of some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it, by way of amends; -- with for; as, my correspondent apologized for not answering my letter.
    To apologize for his insolent language. Froude.
A*pol"o*gize transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To defend. Obs.
    The Christians . . . were apologized by Plinie. Dr. G. Benson.

Webster 1913