apology letter synonym

Synonyms of apology

• as in excuse
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Thesaurus Definition of apology

Synonyms & Similar Words

• justification
• acknowledgement
• vindication
• acknowledgment
• rationalization
• extenuation

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun apology contrast with its synonyms?

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.

When could alibi be used to replace apology ?

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.

When would apologia be a good substitute for apology ?

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.

When is excuse a more appropriate choice than apology ?

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

When might plea be a better fit than apology ?

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

Where would pretext be a reasonable alternative to apology ?

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

Articles Related to apology

The Non-Apology 'Apology'

It's common to complain about non-apologies, but the original meaning of 'apology' wasn't "I'm sorry" at all

Thesaurus Entries Near apology

Cite this entry.

“Apology.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apology. Accessed 1 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on apology

Nglish: Translation of apology for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of apology for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apology

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Apology Synonyms and Antonyms

• justification
• acknowledgment
• explanation
• vindication
• amendehonorable
• amende honorable
• exoneration
• extenuation
• condemnation
• deprecatory
• justifiable
• self-reproaching

Words Related to Apology

Related words are words that are directly connected to each other through their meaning, even if they are not synonyms or antonyms. This connection may be general or specific, or the words may appear frequently together.

Apology Sentence Examples

I'm the one who owes you an apology , not the other way around.

The apology may be taken for what it is worth.

Dean muttered an apology to his superior and left the lieutenant's office.

No simple apology was going to rectify this situation.

She has already apologized and I have accepted her apology .

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Words near Apology in the Thesaurus

• apologizing
• apomorphine

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Apologizing Sincerely and Effectively

Apologizing can be intimidating, but it is the first step to rebuilding trust

Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

• Recognize Reasons

Take Responsibility

Express regret, make amends, reaffirm boundaries.

• Manage Expectations
• Let Go of Results

Choose Your Method

Relationships can be wonderful buffers against stress, but relationship conflicts can also cause considerable emotional pain and stress. Knowing how to apologize—and when—can repair damage in a relationship, but if you don't know how to apologize sincerely, you can actually make things worse.

A sincere and effective apology is one that communicates genuine empathy, remorse, and regret as well as a promise to learn from your mistakes. In other words, you need to really believe you did something wrong and feel sorry for the hurt you caused. Here are some easy steps to help you learn how to apologize sincerely and effectively.

Recognize the Reasons to Apologize

When you've made a mistake or hurt another person, there are many good reasons to apologize. By apologizing, you are able to:

• Acknowledge that you were wrong
• Discuss what is allowed and not allowed in your relationship
• Express your regret and remorse
• Learn from your mistakes and find new ways of dealing with difficult situations
• Open up a line of communication with the other person

A sincere apology can also bring relief, particularly if you have guilt over your actions. An apology alone doesn't erase the hurt or make it OK, but it does establish that you know your actions or words were wrong and that you will strive harder in the future to prevent it from happening again.

Not apologizing when you are wrong can be damaging to your personal and professional relationships. It can also lead to rumination, anger, resentment, and hostility that may only grow over time.

Research suggests that some of the major reasons why people don't apologize are that they aren't really concerned about the other person, apologizing threatens their own self-image, or they believe that an apology won't do any good anyway.

Know When to Apologize

Knowing when to apologize is as important as knowing how to apologize. Generally speaking, if you suspect that something you did—on purpose or by accident—caused someone else hard feelings, it's a good idea to apologize and clear the air.

If what you did would have bothered you if it was done to you, an apology is in order. If you're not sure, an apology not only offers you the chance to "own" mistakes you made, but re-establish what you think was OK. If you feel the other person is being unreasonable, a discussion may be in order. You can decide where you stand on the apology after that.

While a sincere apology can go a long way toward mending a relationship, people are often unwilling or unable to take this step. Admitting you were wrong can be difficult and humbling.

Researchers have found that people who believe that personality is changeable are more likely to apologize for harmful actions. Because they feel that change is possible, they feel that accepting the blame for their mistakes is an opportunity for learning and growth.

Taking responsibility means acknowledging mistakes you made that hurt the other person, and it's one of the most important and neglected ingredients of most apologies, especially those in the media.

Saying something vague like, "I’m sorry if you were offended by something I said," implies that the hurt feelings were a random reaction on the part of the other person. Saying, "When I said [the hurtful thing], I wasn’t thinking. I realize I hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry," acknowledges that you know what it was you said that hurt the other person, and you take responsibility for it.

Don't make assumptions and don't try to shift the blame. Make it clear that you regret your actions and that you are sincerely sorry.

When learning how to apologize effectively, it’s important to understand the value of expressing regret. Taking responsibility is important, but it’s also helpful for the other person to know that you feel bad about hurting them, and wish you hadn’t. That’s it. They already feel bad, and they’d like to know that you feel bad about them feeling bad.

What to Say When You Want to Apologize

• "I wish I could take it back."
• "I wish I had been more thoughtful."
• "I wish I’d thought of your feelings as well."

These are all expressions of regret that add to the sincerity of your apology and let the other person know you care.

If there’s anything you can do to amend the situation, do it. It’s important to know how to apologize with sincerity, and part of that sincerity is a willingness to act.

What to Say When You Make Amends

• If you broke something: "How can I replace it?"
• If you said something hurtful: "I know my words hurt you. I should have never spoken that way to someone I love and respect. I'll do my best to think before I speak in the future."
• If you broke trust: "Is there anything I can do right now to help build your trust?"

Whatever you can do to make things better, do it. If you’re not sure what would help, ask the other person.

One of the most important parts of an apology and one of the best reasons to apologize is to reaffirm boundaries. Healthy boundaries are important in any relationship. 

When you come into conflict with someone, often a boundary is crossed. If a social rule is violated or trust is broken, an apology helps to affirm what kind of future behavior is preferred.

Discussing what type of rules you both will adhere to in the future will rebuild trust, boundaries , and positive feelings. It provides a natural segue out of the conflict and into a happier future in the relationship.

For example, you and your partner, friend, or family member can discuss things you won't tolerate, including:

• Gaslighting

In addition, you can work together to set expectations about how you should treat each other emotionally, physically, and sexually. If you're having trouble agreeing on these boundaries, you and your loved one may benefit from seeing a family therapist or couples counselor.

Own Up to Your Part, Not Theirs

Remember that when you apologize, you're taking responsibility for your part of the conflict. That doesn't mean that you're admitting that the entire conflict was your fault. People are often afraid to apologize first because they think whoever apologizes first is "more wrong" or the "loser" of the conflict.

Giving an apology even when only a small part of the conflict was your responsibility is OK and often healthy. It allows you to establish what you regret about your own actions but confirms your own boundaries as well.

It's important to be fair in your apology, both to the other person and to yourself. Don't accept all the blame if it isn't all your fault.

Apologize for the Right Reasons 

When you apologize for just what you did, you can more easily move forward and put the conflict behind you, regardless of the other person's actions. When we apologize, we're able to more easily maintain our integrity and forgive ourselves.

The other person may be moved to apologize for their actions as well. While getting an apology is often nice, it's important to remember that this doesn't always happen. Trying to evoke an apology from the other person is a manipulative tactic that sometimes backfires.

Apologize for your own peace of mind and the other person may be inspired to do the same. But be sure not to apologize just because you expect an apology in return.

Let Go of Results...to an Extent

Although apologizing can be a way to maintain integrity and move on from actions we're not proud of, most of us also want to repair the relationship and be forgiven. Sometimes this doesn't happen.

If the apology was sincere and included the necessary ingredients, your chances of forgiveness are greater, but sometimes the other person just isn't ready or able to forgive and move on. Or they may forgive you but remain guarded. Or they may not realize their own role in the conflict . You can't control their response, and if you've done everything you can, let it go for now.

Press Play for Advice On Making an Apology

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares ways to apologize effectively and sincerely.

Follow Now : Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

Verbal apologies are appropriate under most circumstances, but making amends in writing can also have its benefits. Many people experience discomfort with a face-to-face apology, and while this discomfort alone isn't a good reason for a written apology, it can be a factor—especially if your discomfort affects your ability to express yourself.

Writing out your apology in a letter, email, or even text can give you the time to thoughtfully craft your apology, making sure to accept responsibility, express remorse, and reaffirm boundaries.

On the other hand, written apologies may be too formal for some mistakes and not personal enough for others. And if the written apology isn't followed by a response, you may be left with an unresolved conflict.

Keep your apology simple and direct. If you overdo it, you'll make it about yourself instead of the person you wronged. This can create resentment and erode trust.

How to Know If Your Apology Was Accepted

In general, you'll be able to tell if your apology was accepted if the person took the following steps:

• Listened to your apology or acknowledged reading your apology
• Thanked you or showed appreciation for your apology
• Responded to your apology, saying "It's OK," or "Please don't ever do that again," or even, "Thanks; but I still need more time to think."

It's important to remind yourself that even if someone accepts your apology, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're ready to forgive you. True forgiveness may take some time, so stay calm and be patient.

The Bottom Line

Genuine apologies aren't always easy, but that can be an important part of mending or maintaining important relationships. With empathy, an open heart, and a dose of courage, you can take the steps you need to make a sincere and honest apology.

Schumann K. The psychology of offering an apology: Understanding the barriers to apologizing and how to overcome them .  Curr Dir Psychol Sci . 2018;27(2):74-78. doi:10.1177/0963721417741709

Schumann K, Dweck CS. Who accepts responsibility for their transgressions? . Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2014;40(12):1598-1610. doi:10.1177/0146167214552789

By Elizabeth Scott, PhD Elizabeth Scott, PhD is an author, workshop leader, educator, and award-winning blogger on stress management, positive psychology, relationships, and emotional wellbeing.

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How to Write an Apology Letter (With Sincere Examples)

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It can be hard to know where to start when you need to put an apology in writing, but doing so doesn't have to be difficult. The next time you need to write an apology letter, follow a basic outline and use the wording examples for inspiration on how to convey your sincere regrets. You'll be able to share your thoughts and put the recipient's mind at ease with just a few words that convey a lot of meaning.

Basic Apology Letter Outline

Whether you’re drafting an informal apology to a friend or family member, or a formal apology letter to a colleague or customer, there’s a basic four-part format you can follow.

1. Express Remorse

Since a sincere apology letter comes straight out with it, you can literally begin with “I’m sorry …” or “I apologize for … ,” then specify exactly what the apology is for. If you’re not feeling truly sorry for your actions, then this entire exercise is in vain. It will reek of insincerity. You have to be authentic in your desire to show remorse, especially in the opening lines.

2. Take Responsibility

Taking responsibility for your actions doesn’t mean making excuses. Quite the opposite. You shouldn’t bother with excuses because the offended person won’t want to hear it. Taking responsibility means admitting what you did wrong. Empathize with the person, showing that you can understand why your actions or words were offensive or hurtful.

3. Make Amends

When you offer to make amends, you show that you want to make the situation right. If you can offer an olive branch , now’s the time to do it. It's important to offer suggestions of things you can do to make up for the mistake or other situation that led you to need to issue an apology.

4. Provide Assurance

Finally, assure the other party that this mistake won’t happen again. Whenever you make a mistake or offend someone, you create a tiny crack in their trust. They may believe that you regret the error, but are still concerned that it may happen again. This is why it’s important to make reassurances in the closing of your letter .

Printable Template for an Apology Letter

When drafting an apology letter, it can be helpful to use a template. The printable outline template below follows the basic structure described above. Use it as a copy-and-paste apology letter template, putting your own wording in place to build an appropriately structured letter.

Apology letter template

Sample wording for sincere letters of apology.

Whether you’re writing an informal or formal apology letter, the intent and format will be the same. You’ll want to show remorse, empathize with the person who was slighted and make a “grand gesture” to put your words into action.

Personal Apology Letter to a Friend

Here is a sample apology letter to a friend or family member. You can email this to them after having time to think it over or condense the sentiment into a text to send immediately after something bad has happened.

Dear Marie, [Express remorse.] I’m so sorry about the negative remarks I made about the toy you bought my daughter for her birthday. I know that I previously told you that Madison wanted that type of toy, so my inappropriate response is particulary apalling. I really feel awful for how I responded to your kind gesture. [Take responsibility.] My behavior is inexcusable. I can only say that in a time of stress I lost control of my temper and lashed out at you, even though you were clearly only doing something nice for my daughter on her birthday. You did nothing wrong. [Make amends.] I am hoping that you will join me and Madison for tea text weekend at the Plaza, my treat. I would love for us to be able to spend some time together, just the three of us. I know she'll enjoy telling you in person how much she has enjoyed the toy you gave her. [Provide assurance.] You can rest assured that I will never react in such an inappropriate way to your kindness in the future. I am truly sorry for my behavior towards you at Madison's birthday party. You won’t have to endure my lashing out ever again. Love, Cindy

Apology Letter to a Boss or Coworker

You may need to write a formal apology letter to a boss or colleague, or pen another type of business apology letter . The key difference between a personal and professional letter is the tone . This type of letter will be more formal than one to a friend. You could send this kind of letter via email or print a copy and leave it on their desk.

Dear Amy, [Express remorse.] I apologize for speaking out against the ideas you proposed in yeterday's meeting with the executive team. You spent a lot of time and effort crafting a well-prepared presentation, which I made negative comments about in a setting where doing so was not appropriate. [Take responsibility.] I know that I should not have spoken up like that without first discussing my concerns with you privately in a more tactful manner. Now that we have had time to disccuss the suggestions you made, I understand them better and support your ideas. [Make amends.] You put a lot of work into that presentation and really delivered it effectively. I'd like to follow-up with the others who were in that meeting and let them know that my comments were out of line while also showing support for the intended meaning of your presentation. [Provide assurance.] I assure you that I will never again question your suggestions in front of upper management without first discussing any concerns wth you privately. I will take every measure to ensure I never put you in an uncomfortable situation like that again. Sincerely, Heidi

Apology Letter for a Mistake

Finally, there may come a time when you need to issue a blanket apology or write to someone you’ve never met. This is often the case when dealing with customer service. Let’s say you received a complaint from a customer about a mistake made by one of your associates. This sample customer apology letter can help you format your response:

Dear Mr. Smith, [Express remorse.] On behalf of Furry Friends, I’d like to offer a sincere apology for your experience with our front office staff. After reviewing our camera footage, I see that Amelia was rude and unprofessional when she made an offhand remark about your dog. You came to us for an enjoyable and professional experience and, instead, both you and your dog Rex were made to feel uncomfortable. [Take responsibility.] Here at Furry Friends, it’s our goal to make everyone feel welcome and at home. Amelia's behavior is unacceptable and not at all in line with the standards and principles we uphold as a company. A written warning has been placed in her file and she is being required to complete further training on how to appropriately greet and interact with customers in the context of her job. [Make amends.] I’m grateful you brought this unfortunate event to my attention. We would love to have another chance to groom Rex and give him the care and pampering he deserves. Enclosed, you’ll find a $50 voucher, which will cover a deluxe groom. [Provide assurance.] If you choose to visit us again, you have my word it will be an enjoyable experience. I will personally supervise Rex’s entire stay. We hope to see you again! Sincerely, Felicia Keys, Owner

Consider the Audience

It's important to adapt your writing approach based on the audience. Notice how the tone changes in the sample letters above, based on who will be receiving the letter and the relationship between the sender and the recipient. The tone will be different if you need to apologize to a teacher . Further adjustment would be needed when writing an apology letter to a romantic partner , such as a boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse.

What Makes a Sincere Apology Letter?

Now that you know how to write an apology letter, don't overlook the importance of sincerity. A sincere letter of apology comes right out and says what you did wrong, rather than a generic " my apologies ." It quickly highlights your wrongdoing and then expresses remorse for the misstep. Don't say something backhanded like, “I’m sorry you felt hurt.” Apologize for what you did first, before mentioning regret for how it may have impacted the other person.

Beyond this, a sincere apology letter doesn’t require groveling. After all, everyone makes mistakes. This will (hopefully) spark a discussion between you and the person you offended. It will also restore their dignity if they feel burned by your bad behavior.

What to Expect Next

It can be difficult to issue an apology. You have to swallow your pride and expose your bad behavior. In the same way, it can be difficult for someone to accept an apology. Sometimes people forget that everyone is susceptible to mistakes and don’t easily forgive others. Sometimes people have been so hurt, they just can't keep the door open to forgiveness.

Keep in mind that you’re only responsible for your ability to apologize. You can’t expect the other person to forgive you automatically, and certainly not right away. Don’t push the issue after you’ve issued an apology. Try to move on and give them some breathing room to make the next approach.

Open the Door to Communication and Forgiveness

Regardless of how the person who receives the letter responds, sending a well-written apology letter opens the door to communication. That's an essential element in any relationship, personal or professional. In the end, whether your apology is accepted or not, you can rest assured that you did the right thing by taking responsibility for your actions. You can’t control the behavior of others, only your own. For more guidance to help you get started, review these how-to tips for writing an effective letter .

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How to Write An Apology Letter: Tips, Guidelines, and Apology Letter Examples

Are you wondering how to write an apology letter? Maybe your professional relationship with a work colleague has gone sour, or maybe you spoke without thinking in a conversation with a friend or family member. If a simple “sorry” won’t cut it, you can show your sincere regret by expressing your apology in writing.

This article explains how to write an apology letter, including how to craft an effective introduction and conclusion. It also contains apology letters examples that can help you get started on your own.

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What is an apology letter.

An apology letter is a written document or an email that acknowledges a mistake, expresses remorse, and asks the recipient for pardon or patience. It is a relatively formal letter, and it should assure the recipient that the mistake won’t happen again.

What Are the 4 Elements of an Apology Letter?

• Say you’re sorry. When writing a letter of apology, you should include a clear “I’m sorry” statement. Don’t beat around the bush or leave your recipient wondering why you’ve written. Give a direct apology.
• Acknowledge responsibility . In an apology letter, you must acknowledge your mistake. First, explain what occurred: the person you wronged needs to know that you understand what you said or did and why it was hurtful to them. Then take full responsibility for your actions and state that you know that what you did or said was wrong. This can make your apology stronger.
• Explain how you’ll make it better. Saying you’re sorry is a key step because it shows your regret and remorse. But taking proper action to make things right again is just as important. You need to explain what you’re going to do to fix the situation and ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future.
• Ask for forgiveness. One of the last moves in your apology letter is to ask for forgiveness. Remember, before you ask for forgiveness, you need to promise that the unwanted or bad behavior will not happen again.

How to Write an Apology Letter: Beginning and Ending

As in all types of writing, knowing how to begin and end an apology letter is paramount. Here’s some guidance on crafting two crucial parts of any apology letter: the introduction and the conclusion.

How to Begin an Apology Letter

The best way to start an apology letter is by saying you’re sorry. Get it out there right at the start. Saying you’re sorry and acknowledging that what you said or did was wrong are the first two steps in any apology.

How to End an Apology Letter

The best way to conclude an apology is to ask for forgiveness. When you do that, you’re giving the other person the option to accept the apology and restore your relationship. This also shows that you value the relationship and are committed to making it work. Two common closings in an apology letter are “sincerely” and “best regards.”

How to Write an Apology Letter: 5 More Useful Tips

Keep Your Word

Stay true to your word if you claim you won’t repeat your mistake. Be ready to back up your words with action and keep any promises you made. This will show people that your apologies are sincere.

Show Genuine Interest

You can show genuine interest in the other person by writing a sincere, genuine apology. By showing sincere regret and concern, you can mend fences with those you’ve wronged.

Don’t Excuse Yourself

When writing an apology, don’t make it about yourself. Don’t write about why you did what you did. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and ask yourself why they would feel the way they do. Definitely don’t justify your actions. This is a common mistake.

Don’t Focus on How You Feel

Similarly, when writing an apology letter, don’t focus on how you feel. You can seem self-centered and make a bad situation worse. A letter of apology should demonstrate your empathy for the other person.

Ask for Forgiveness

Asking for forgiveness is one of the best ways of showing genuine grief. By asking for forgiveness, you show vulnerability. A small amount of vulnerability can go a long way toward demonstrating that you mean what you say.

Apology Letter Examples to Help You Get Better at Apologizing

Apology letter examples can inspire you if you’re not sure where to start. There’s a wide range of different types of apology letters. For example, you may find yourself apologizing to a friend or family member or to upset customers in a customer service role. Your apology may also be handwritten, typed and printed, or sent as an email .

Apology Letter Example 1: Apology Letter to a Boss

Dear Mr. Moran:

I am writing to you to express my regret for my mistake. I emailed our client the wrong materials. I apologize, and I recognize the difficulties that my careless oversight must have caused the company.

I know that an apology cannot undo my error. However, I am writing this letter to express my regret for the mistake I made as a result of my negligence. I had no ill intent when I was carrying out my duties. Please accept my sincerest apologies and rest assured that I will exercise additional caution in the future.

Best regards,

Bruce Paige

Apology Letter Example 2:  Apology Email to a Colleague

I truly apologize for deleting the project files. I want to be clear that it was an accident and happened as a result of my carelessness, and I sincerely regret it.

I accept full responsibility for this event, which caused problems not only for the company but for you as well. I met with the manager and explained that this was my mistake, not yours.

You can be sure that I’ll be extremely careful in my future work. 

I look forward to working with you again.

How to Use Apology Letter Examples to Write Your Own 

By studying these apology letter examples and following their structure and approach, you can improve your apology writing. You’ll know how to write an effective apology letter on your own after a few tries. Remember to incorporate the tips and elements of apology letters discussed in this article.

If you need to improve your writing skills, you can also visit Purdue OWL , where you can find many writing tips. You can also get better at writing if you start writing every day .

Everyone has moments of poor judgment. Letters of apology can mend fences with coworkers, upset customers, friends, family members, and others. We hope this article has helped you learn more about how to write a successful apology.

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How to Write an Apology Letter FAQ

A good apology is a sincere apology. In a genuine apology, you will notice that the person at fault admits to their errors and attempts to correct them if they can. Even if the person can’t do anything to undo the mistake, an effective apology letter will communicate genuine regret.

You can get better at apologizing by practicing self-affirmation. An article published in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology states that self-affirmation reduces defensiveness and increases the comprehensiveness of apologies . Again, everyone has moments of poor judgment. Making a mistake doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.

People write apology letters to repair relationships with people in their lives they may have wronged. In a high-stress work environment, it can help to develop and maintain effective work relationships .

It’s okay to apologize by text, but it’s better to deliver an apology in person or write a formal apology. It takes more time and effort to apologize in one of these ways, which demonstrates your sincerity and the importance that you ascribe to your relationship with the other person.

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verb as in express remorse, regret

Strongest matches

Strong matches

Weak matches

• admit guilt
• ask forgiveness
• clear oneself
• excuse oneself
• get down on knees
• give satisfaction
• make amends
• make reparations
• make up for
• make up with
• offer compensation
• offer excuse
• say one is sorry

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Related words.

Words related to apologize are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word apologize . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

verb as in compensate; make amends for former misdoing

• counterbalance
• make redress
• make reparation
• pay one's dues
• take one's medicine

verb as in be upset about

• be disturbed
• be sorry for
• cry over spilled milk
• feel remorse
• feel uneasy
• have compunctions
• have qualms
• kick oneself

verb as in ask forgiveness

• be contrite
• reproach oneself
• see error of ways
• show penitence

verb as in regret

Viewing 5 / 6 related words

Example Sentences

Instead, Krvaric complained about the media and the Democratic Party, stopping short of denying his involvement with the video and so far has not apologized.

Morse denied ever having a “non-consensual sexual encounter” or violating UMass policies, but admitted that he’d had consensual relationships with students at area universities and apologized for making some students feel uncomfortable.

If our students have been subjected, I apologize and we need to and we can get better and we are committed to the work.

It wasn’t something I should have sampled from like that and I apologize.

One marathon budget hearing with hundreds of calls to slash $100 million from the police budget later, elected leaders have been forced to apologize for failing to vote with the suddenly powerful defund movement.

Before I could apologize to his mother he ran back out to the living room with a poster of his dad and opened it up for me to see.

In September 2005, Beebe wrote a letter to my home to apologize.

They have refused to apologize, which is all I have ever wanted.

You must atone, apologize, and beg forgiveness for the thousands of LGBT lives you have taken.

I was told they had removed my blog and that I must apologize for publishing it.

"I did not mean to speak unkindly, Michael," he stammered with a view to apologize.

"Always farouche, dear Miss Warrender, but I apologize," he continued as he gave her his arm.

She saw at once that he resented her leisurely way and her attempt at affability, and she hastened to apologize.

He drew her attention to a passage where he called upon Heaven to forbid that he should appear to apologize for so great a man.

Still holding the man, she made him get down on his knees on the curb to the girls and apologize.

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On this page you'll find 32 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to apologize, such as: atone, confess, retract, withdraw, crawl, and purge.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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Synonyms and antonyms of apologize in English

• TO APOLOGIZE FOR SOMETHING

Synonyms and examples

Apologize | american thesaurus.

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Sitting on the fence (Newspaper idioms)

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US Senate candidate apologizes for using racist slur while trying to say ‘bugaboo’

David Trone, a Maryland congressman, used a derogatory and offensive term for a Black person during a Capitol Hill hearing

• US politics – latest updates

A Maryland Democratic congressman running for US Senate has apologised for using a racist slur during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Speaking during a House budget committee hearing, David Trone said: “So this Republican jigaboo that it’s the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business. They’ve never been there. They don’t have a clue what they’re talking about.”

“Jigaboo” is a derogatory and offensive term for a Black person. The Oxford English Dictionary says the word is of unknown origin, its first documented use found in a song from 1909.

Trone apologized in a statement to the Washington Post . “While attempting to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I misspoke and mistakenly used a phrase that is offensive,” he said.

“Upon learning the meaning of the word I was deeply disappointed to have accidentally used it, and I apologise.”

Merriam-Webster defines “bugaboo” as “an imaginary object of fear”.

In 2009, the rapper Jay-Z discussed with the Guardian his use of the N-word in his music, saying: “If you eliminate [it, racists will] say ‘monkey’ or ‘jigaboo’.”

The word “jigaboo” has recently been an occasional source of controversy .

Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to whom Trone was speaking on Thursday, is Black. She declined to comment to the Post.

In Maryland, Trone leads Democratic polling regarding the party race to contest the US Senate seat now filled by the retiring Ben Cardin.

Trone’s closest competitor, Angela Alsobrooks , a state politician, is Black. She also declined to comment.

In early polling, Trone and Alsobrooks trail Larry Hogan, the probable Republican nominee for Senate, a moderate who was a popular governor until 2023, when he was succeeded by Wes Moore, a Democrat and the first Black governor of the mid-Atlantic state.

Trone said the word he used “has a long dark terrible history” and “should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation.

“I recognise that as a white man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use – especially in the heat of the moment. Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldn’t have used that language.”

• US politics

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Drake Bell Said He Still Hasn’t Gotten Apologies From Anyone Who Supported Brian Peck Amid His Legal Trial After “Quiet On Set” Exposed Several Celebrities’ Letters

“I haven’t gotten an apology, or a sorry, from anybody that had written letters or was involved in supporting him at all,” Drake said after Quiet on Set revealed the letters that several celebs wrote in support of Brian Peck.

BuzzFeed Staff

This article mentions allegations of child sex abuse and grooming.

Earlier this month, id docuseries quiet on set delved into the support that convicted child sex offender brian peck received during his 2004 legal trial..

Actor and dialogue coach Brian was 43 when he was found guilty of two counts of child sex abuse against a young Nickelodeon actor. He was originally charged with 11 counts pertaining to acts against the child actor.

Court documents revealed that Brian was “coaching the victim”   at his house when the offenses took place. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison.

In the four-part series, former Nickelodeon child star Drake Bell came forward as Brian’s alleged victim. He said, “I was sleeping on the couch where I usually sleep, and I woke up to him... He was sexually assaulting me. And I froze and was in complete shock and had no idea what to do or how to react.”

In the docuseries, Drake also addressed his 2021 legal trial, where he was charged with attempted endangering of children and disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. He was sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community service after pleading guilty to both charges. In the docuseries, Drake holds himself accountable and details spending years in therapy and treatment.

Quiet on Set also revealed that Brian, who was extremely popular and well-connected, had received support from several celebrities amid his legal trial.

These celebrities included James Marsden, Taran Killam, Twin Peaks actor Kimmy Robertson, Growing Pains actors Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns, Amanda Show crew members Rich and Beth Correll, American Horror Story actor Ron Melendez, X-Men producer Tom DeSanto, and Boy Meets World actors Will Friedle and Rider Strong.

An alleged excerpt from James’s letter was shown in the docuseries. It read, “I assure you, what Brian has been through in the last year is the suffering of a hundred men.” Meanwhile, Taran allegedly said in his letter, “I have seen the affects this situations has had on Brian and I know for a fact that he regrets any mistakes made.”

Late actor Alan Thicke allegedly wrote that Brian “was never inappropriate,” while Kimmy purportedly wrote: “I believe with all my heart that Brian was pressured and pushed beyond belief before he caved in.”

The docuseries notes that it’s unclear exactly what these celebrities were told about Brian’s abuse. Joanna provided a follow-up statement to her letter of support claiming: “I have now learned that my letter of support was based on complete misinformation. Knowing what I know now, I never would have written the letter.”

Similarly, Will and Rider — who were 27 and 24 respectively when Brian was arrested — claimed they were “misled” as they addressed their letters of support earlier this year on an

Claiming that Brian had managed to convince them that he was the victim in the case, Will recalled: “My initial instinct was: Well, he’s my friend, it can’t be, it has to be the other person’s fault. The story makes complete sense — the way that he was saying it… I look back on it now, and it makes me want to cry that I was ever that naive.”

Rider added, “He didn’t say that nothing had happened. By the time we heard about the case and knew anything about it, it was always in the context of: ‘I did this thing, I am guilty, I am going to take whatever punishment the government determines, but I’m the victim of jailbait.’”

Drake fired back at Will and Rider earlier this month, accusing them of trying to save face by addressing their letters publicly ahead of the release of the Quiet on Set docuseries.

“Will was 27 years old and Brian told him what he did many people turned away and said no I won’t write a letter but they did,” he wrote in response to an Instagram comment. “Will was not manipulated. Brian admitted it to him and he wrote the letter anyway. Then he worked with me on many many episodes of spider man years later and never said a word to me about it.”

“This is because they were told there letters are going to be made public. Everyone thought the letters would be sealed forever and no one would ever see them. This is their publicist telling them how to get ahead of the story,” he added.

And now, Drake has claimed that he’s not received any apologies from the celebrities who supported Brian amid his trial.

Appearing on The Sarah Fraser Show podcast on March 22, Drake said, “I haven’t gotten an apology, or a sorry, from anybody that had written letters or was involved in supporting him at all.”

Drake did acknowledge that Tom DeSanto has released a statement to People claiming he wrote his letter “based on incomplete information.” It reads, “My decisions at the time were based on incomplete information given to me, and I lacked full awareness of the gravity of the accusations. With the knowledge and understanding I possess today, I want to personally apologize to Drake and his family and emphatically state that had I been fully informed of all the accusations, my support would have been absolutely withheld.”

Noting that he didn’t know about the letters until last year, Drake said, “I learned that later, I mean, there were multiple people that had supported him that went on to work on Drake & Josh.”

“I worked with these people every day, and I thought they were my friends. They were people in positions of power, that they were my bosses. They were directors, they were producers. It was a situation where I thought I was surrounded by, I thought I was safe. I thought, OK, I thought I got rid of, the cancer has been carved out, we’re better now,” he continued.

“And I had no idea that for 4 years, I was working alongside people who had supported him, and probably in the back of their mind were thinking of me in a certain way, and I thought they were my friends,” he added.

Drake also noted that it was “re-traumatizing” learning about the letters years after the trial.

“It was totally re-traumatizing to later get these letters, which I just got last year,” he said. “Every letter I turned, it broke my heart when I would see the name at the end of the letter and go, ‘What? We worked together. I thought that we were friends.’”

You can listen to Drake’s full appearance on The Sarah Fraser Show podcast here .

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here .

If you are concerned that a child is experiencing or may be in danger of abuse, you can call or text the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (4.A.CHILD); service can be provided in over 140 languages.

Topics in this article

• Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV
• Drake and Josh

May Takayanagi, peace activist whose family was interned in World War II camps, dies

On Monday morning, Dec. 8, 1941, May Takayanagi went to her Oakland, Calif., high school and faced the racist wrath of other students.

At 17, she had known bigotry all her life. Her Japanese-born parents hadn’t been allowed to become US citizens, and she recalled in interviews that the Hearst-owned newspapers in California of that era referred to those of Asian heritage as “the yellow peril.”

But on that morning emotions were at a new level. A day earlier, Japanese forces had attacked Pearl Harbor. Hours after her first class, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his “day of infamy” speech to Congress and declared war on Japan.

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In school that day, Mrs. Takayanagi was a target for her classmates’ fear.

“The other kids looked at me like it was my fault,” she told The Boston Globe in 1988. “ ‘It’s your people,’ they said. People yelled at me, ‘Go back to Yokohama.’ ”

Mrs. Takayanagi, whose family subsequently was imprisoned in a Utah internment camp during World War II, dedicated the rest of her life to peace and justice activism.

She was 99, two months shy of turning 100, when she died March 13 in her Newton home.

As she watched racism ripple through generations during her nearly 100 years, Mrs. Takayanagi was determined to help prevent a repeat in the United States of the internment camps her family endured.

“It actually happened,” she said in 1988. “It could happen again.”

Into her 80s Mrs. Takayanagi volunteered with organizations such as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom , and she was a bookkeeper for the American Friends Service Committee . Both groups bucked public sentiment during the war to speak out against the internment camps.

In a 2001 oral history posted on YouTube by Voice of Women, a Newton-based nuclear disarmament organization, Mrs. Takayanagi spoke about her need, “after my own life experience, to be involved in all these issues of justice and peace .”

Along with serving on the board and as a past president of the New England Japanese American Citizens League, she and her husband, Tetsuo Takayanagi, an architect who died in 2018 , were founding benefactors of the Institute for Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

“Although small in stature, May was a major force of activism and support for civil rights and progressive causes in the Asian American and broader civil rights communities in Massachusetts,” wrote Paul Watanabe , director of the institute, earlier this month in an email to let the community know Mrs. Takayanagi had died.

She had been the treasurer of the Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund, named for the first Asian-American admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, and volunteered with the Asian American Resource Workshop . The May Takayanagi Making Waves Award is named for her.

In Newton, Mrs. Takayanagi was involved with the Metco school integration program and the Newton Free Library.

“May and her husband, Tak, were a gift to our community,” said state Representative Kay Khan , a Newton Democrat who represents the part of the city where the couple lived for decades.

The Takayanagis were “very active participants in the Newton Democratic City Committee,” Khan said, and they were always “concerned about the future of the country.”

During her time in the Auburndale part of Newton, Mrs. Takayanagi was a fair-housing advocate, promoting affordable housing for residents with lower incomes and access to housing for those facing discrimination.

When she and her husband moved to Cambridge for a few years after World War II so he could attend the Harvard Graduate School of Design, “He had great difficulty finding an apartment because people would say to him, ‘Well, we’d rent to you, but you people cook smelly food,’ ” she said in the oral history.

Then she laughed and added: “That’s the soy sauce people are eating now.”

The third-oldest of seven siblings, Kyoko Oshima was born in Oakland on May 16, 1924. Her mother was Motoko Oshima, her father Tadao Okuda.

“When I started school,” Mrs. Takayanagi recalled with a laugh in the oral history, “the teacher said, ‘That’s too difficult a name. When is your birthday?’ And I said, ‘May,’ and that’s what I’ve been stuck with all these years.”

After Pearl Harbor was attacked, thousands of San Francisco-area Japanese immigrants, and those of Japanese ancestry, were forced to quickly sell their belongings before being sent to the nearby Tanforan racetrack — an intermediary stop en route to the Topaz internment camp in Utah.

“We lived in the stalls,” she said in 2000 of the racetrack interlude. “They didn’t mop anything; there were dead flies splayed against the walls.”

In Utah, they were housed in barracks with thin walls that offered little protection against desert winds.

“It was just like a military facility, and we were issued military blankets,” she said. “You get used to it. But the one thing we never got used to was the lack of privacy. There were no doors on the toilets.”

She left before most of the rest of her family to fill a domestic job in a Minneapolis family’s home. During the war, those who usually worked in those positions were working in factories.

When the camps closed, and her family followed her to Minneapolis, she ran into Tetsuo Takayanagi. They had first met years earlier.

“They ended up meeting in Chicago, because my dad was going to school in Chicago at the time and my mother was living and working there,” said their son, Charles of Norwood.

They married in 1949, and Mr. Takayanagi went on to work for the Boston architectural firm headed by Hugh Stubbins , who had been one of his teachers at Harvard.

Mr. Takayanagi’s family also was imprisoned in the internment camps. He was then drafted into the US Army and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps as a language specialist during the postwar US occupation of Japan.

With the passing of time, the Takayanagis were able to speak about their time in the camps.

“After the war, people like myself didn’t want to discuss this experience,” Mr. Takayanagi told the Globe when the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided a formal US apology to those who were imprisoned in internment camps — a long-sought action that allowed many to finally break their silence about what they had gone through.

In addition to their son, Charles, Mrs. Takayanagi leaves two daughters, Tina Barnet of New York City and Lisa Suman of Newton; a sister, Reiko Komoto of Minneapolis; a brother, Don Oshima of Morristown, N.J.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Mrs. Takayanagi’s life will be announced.

In interviews, she often said her activism was fueled by the hope of protecting those in the future, rather than by the chance to vent anger over the years her family was imprisoned.

“I don’t think there is any point in being angry about it,” she told the Globe in 2000. “There is always someone who wants to scapegoat one group or another and I just don’t want to see it happen to anyone else.”

Bryan Marquard can be reached at [email protected] .