Synonyms for apology
əˈpɒl ə dʒiapol·o·gy

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:2.7 / 3 votes

1. apologynoun

   A formal justification, defence.

   The Apology of Socrates.

   Synonyms:
   apologia

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.7 / 3 votes

1. apology

   All these words express one's answer to a charge of wrong or error that is or might be made. Apology has undergone a remarkable change from its old sense of a valiant defense — as in Justin Martyr's Apologies for the Christian faith — to its present meaning of humble confession and concession. He who offers an apology admits himself, at least technically and seemingly, in the wrong. An apology is for what one has done or left undone; an excuse may be for what one proposes to do or leave undone as well; as, one sends beforehand his excuse for not accepting an invitation; if he should fail either to be present or to excuse himself, an apology would be in order. An excuse for a fault is an attempt at partial justification; as, one alleges haste as an excuse for carelessness. Confession is a full acknowledgment of wrong, generally of a grave wrong, with or without apology or excuse. Plea ranges in sense from a prayer for favor or pardon to an attempt at full vindication. Defense, exculpation, justification, and vindication are more properly antonyms than synonyms of apology in its modern sense, and should be so given, but for their connection with its historic usage. Compare CONFESS; DEFENSE.

   Synonyms:
   acknowledgment, confession, defense, exculpation, excuse, justification, plea, vindication

   Antonyms:
   accusation, censure, charge, complaint, condemnation, imputation, injury, insult, offense, wrong

   Preposition:
   An apology to the guest for the oversight would be fitting.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.8 / 4 votes

1. apology

   Synonyms:
   defense, justification, plea, exculpation, excuse, vindication, acknowledgment, confession

   Antonyms:
   charge, imputation, impeachment, offense, incrimination, injury, accusation, wrong, insult

GCIDERate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Apologynoun

   Synonyms:
   Excuse.

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:1.0 / 2 votes

1. apologynoun

   an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

   "he wrote a letter of apology to the hostess"

   Synonyms:
   excuse, apologia

2. apology, apologianoun

   a formal written defense of something you believe in strongly

   Synonyms:
   excuse, apologia

3. apology, excusenoun

   a poor example

   "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"

   Synonyms:
   excuse, exculpation, apologia, alibi, self-justification

Matched Categories

1. • Acknowledgment
   • Example

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. apologynoun

   Synonyms:
   defence, vindication, justification

2. apologynoun

   Synonyms:
   excuse, plea, explanation, extenuation, reparation, AMENDE HONORABLE

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. apologynoun

   Synonyms:
   justification, extenuation, defense, vindication, amende honorable, makeshift, substitute, excuse

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "apology":

   apologies, excuse, apologize, apologia, apologizing, apologise, sorry

How to pronounce apology?

How to say apology in sign language?

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use apology in a sentence?

1. Pat Boone:

   As much as I’ve enjoyed ‘ Saturday Night Live, ’ they went over the line, and believers in God deserve an apology, i wo n’t waste my breath demanding an apology. They don’t answer to me. They answer to the one they defame, and there are consequences.

2. Marissa Bridge:

   He died while The Apology Line was still running, and it always bothered that he wasn’t able to complete it in the way he wanted to. So I felt it was my duty as his wife and being a supporter of the line to always make sure it didn’t disappear into the dustbin of history, so to speak. And that it would be brought to the public again, in some way, shape or form.

3. Adam Kent:

   While we are glad that Encore Global has acknowledged its error in denying my client's employment due to his hairstyle, we have yet to receive a formal apology, or a commitment to changing the grooming policy that has had a disparate impact on African-Americans, i intend to engage with Encore further to determine if they will fulfill all the requests we have made in our lawsuit.

4. Christian Cooper:

   I think African American apology is sincere, i'm not sure that in that apology African American recognizes that while African American may not be or consider African American a racist, that particular act was definitely racist.

5. James Blake:

   I'd like an apology. I'd like an explanation for how they conducted themselves because I think we all need to be held accountable for our actions, and police as well.