apology

noun

apol·o·gy ə-ˈpä-lə-jē How to pronounce apology (audio)

plural apologies

: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret

a public apology

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.

: something that is said or written to defend something that other people criticize : defense

The book is an apology for capitalism.

: excuse sense 2a

informal : a poor substitute or example : makeshift

He's a poor apology for a father.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The apology came over a week after Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda made a public statement denouncing the church’s reproduction.

Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2022 But the part of the story that has grown with the years and was dredged up, again, in articles about the apology is the John Wayne part.

Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Needless to say, the apology doesn’t seem to have worked.

Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The apology comes as the academy has taken steps to be more inclusive of groups traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

Julian Mark, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Though the condemnation—and the apology—were predictable, both are misguided.

Daniel Pipes, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 With that moment of realization, Danni gets up and leaves, without bumbling through the apology crafted on her iPhone’s Notes.

Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 31 July 2022 The apology that followed was striking in its openheartedness.

Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 26 July 2022 Andrew Purchas, co-founder of the Pride In Sport program that supports Australian sports clubs in aspects of inclusion, acknowledged the apology from the Sea Eagles.

NBC News, 26 July 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English apologe "formal defense," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French apologie "public defense in speech or writing," borrowed from Late Latin apologia, borrowed from Greek apología "speech in defense" (Late Greek, "speech in defense of the Christian faith by a martyr, excuse, vindication before God"), derivative (with -ia -ia entry 1) of apologeîsthai "to speak in defense, defend oneself" — more at apologetic entry 1

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

apology

noun

as in excuse

an explanation that frees one from fault or blame her standard apology for her chronic tardiness is the ever-present congestion on the highways

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

excuse
justification
reason
plea
alibi
defense
vindication
acknowledgment
confession
rationale
rationalization
acknowledgement
pretext
atonement
whitewash
out
pretense
extenuation
cop-out
pretence
guise
palliation
color

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of apology are alibi, apologia, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

The meanings of alibi and apology largely overlap; however, alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Although the words apologia and apology have much in common, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

The synonyms excuse and apology are sometimes interchangeable, but excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

In some situations, the words plea and apology are roughly equivalent. However, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

While in some cases nearly identical to apology, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

单词	apology
释义	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 : excuse sense 2a 3 informal : a poor substitute or example : makeshift He's a poor apology for a father. Synonyms alibi defense excuse justification plea reason See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web The apology came over a week after Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda made a public statement denouncing the church’s reproduction. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Aug. 2022 But the part of the story that has grown with the years and was dredged up, again, in articles about the apology is the John Wayne part. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2022 Needless to say, the apology doesn’t seem to have worked. Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 The apology comes as the academy has taken steps to be more inclusive of groups traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. Julian Mark, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 Though the condemnation—and the apology—were predictable, both are misguided. Daniel Pipes, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 With that moment of realization, Danni gets up and leaves, without bumbling through the apology crafted on her iPhone’s Notes. Katherine Singh, refinery29.com, 31 July 2022 The apology that followed was striking in its openheartedness. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 26 July 2022 Andrew Purchas, co-founder of the Pride In Sport program that supports Australian sports clubs in aspects of inclusion, acknowledged the apology from the Sea Eagles. NBC News, 26 July 2022 See More Word History Etymology Middle English apologe "formal defense," borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French apologie "public defense in speech or writing," borrowed from Late Latin apologia, borrowed from Greek apología "speech in defense" (Late Greek, "speech in defense of the Christian faith by a martyr, excuse, vindication before God"), derivative (with -ia -ia entry 1) of apologeîsthai "to speak in defense, defend oneself" — more at apologetic entry 1 First Known Use 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2a Phrases Containing apology offer no apology for without apology offer no apology for without apology Kids Definition apology noun apol·o·gy ə-ˈpä-lə-jē plural apologies : an expression of regret for having done or said something wrong apology noun as in excuse an explanation that frees one from fault or blame her standard apology for her chronic tardiness is the ever-present congestion on the highways Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance excuse justification reason plea alibi defense vindication acknowledgment confession rationale rationalization acknowledgement pretext atonement whitewash out pretense extenuation cop-out pretence guise palliation color Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of apology are alibi, apologia, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could The meanings of alibi and apology largely overlap; however, alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. his alibi failed to stand scrutiny Although the words apologia and apology have much in common, apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy The synonyms excuse and apology are sometimes interchangeable, but excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting In some situations, the words plea and apology are roughly equivalent. However, plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. her usual plea that she was nearsighted While in some cases nearly identical to apology, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. used any pretext to get out of work
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apology

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing apology

Kids Definition

noun

noun

Synonym Chooser