Thesaurus results for APOLOGY

Q: 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. // said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

Q: 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. // his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Q: 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. // his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

Q: 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. // used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

Q: 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. // her usual plea that she was nearsighted

Q: 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. // used any pretext to get out of work

apology

noun

ə-ˈpä-lə-jē

Definition of apology next

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

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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.

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

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.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

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.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

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.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

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.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

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.

used any pretext to get out of work

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of apology West issued an apology in Hebrew for other antisemitic comments, but his remorse was short-lived. —

Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 11 Feb. 2025 Still, voting for the PGA Awards, where Emilia Pérez lost, had closed January 30 just as Gascón issued her first apology after the revelations of the tweets, so PGA results were largely not affected. —

Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025 The team’s star quarterback took to X on Sunday night after the big game and wrote an apology to Chiefs fans across the world. —

Rachel McRady, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025 Abbey Burger issued an apology on its Facebook page to the patrons that were present in the restaurant when police arrived at the restaurant last month. —

Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for apology

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apology

Noun

Lue wasn’t going to accept any excuses, even if the Clippers were playing short-handed because of a trade made earlier in the day.

— Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
Don’t wait for late-arriving Easter to fire the starting gun for spring: April 1 is a good excuse to slough off the doldrums of winter and start exploring again.

— Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Feb. 2025