apology

[uh-pol-uh-jee] / əˈpɒl ə dʒi /

NOUN

offering of remorse, regret

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledgment admission amends atonement concession confession excuse explanation justification plea redress reparation

STRONG

defense extenuation mitigation vindication

WEAK

mea culpa

Antonyms

STRONGEST

denial refusal repudiation

WEAK

accusation censure charge complaint condemnation criticism defiance indictment

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.

For fans, the special is not an apology, it's a reassertion - of his voice and his refusal to be flattened.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The next morning, the Huskies posted Auriemma’s first apology on X.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

She wants to see the final draft of an apology before fully embracing it.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma issued a second apology Tuesday night for his behavior after the Huskies’ loss to South Carolina in the Final Four last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

This isn’t some apology or gesture of friendship or . . . morethan-friendship.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Vocabulary lists containing apology

Two-Faced Words: Contronyms

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