apology
Americannoun
plural
apologies-
a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another.
He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.
-
a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine.
- Synonyms:
- vindication
-
(initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.
-
an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift.
The tramp wore a sad apology for a hat.
noun
-
an oral or written expression of regret or contrition for a fault or failing
-
a poor substitute or offering
-
another word for apologia
Related Words
See excuse.
Other Word Forms
- reapology noun
- superapology noun
Etymology
Origin of apology
First recorded in 1500–50; earlier apologie, late Middle English (from Middle French ), from Late Latin apologia, from Greek apología, “speech in self-defense; defense,” apologia
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both the broadcaster and the arts charity released official apologies, and the BBC promised to investigate the matter.
From Salon
When Andie defends herself from the girls bullying her in her gym class and gets sent to the principal’s office for it, she refuses to offer a polite apology.
From Salon
Lee has sought to mend ties by stamping out such provocations, and has even suggested a rare apology may be warranted.
From Barron's
He wasn’t compelled to offer stuttering apologies for trespassing or to make a hasty, panicked retreat in the heroic fashion of his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.
From Literature
"He recognised the seriousness of what happened, or rather, what didn't happen, and the distress it caused. He offered, and we repeat, an unreserved apology to the families of the deceased and the survivors."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
