I think that you ought to apologize to her.
Source: tatoeba (11374)
Apologize
/əˈpɒləd͡ʒaɪz/
Synonyms for "apologize" (41 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (9)
Verb(4 words)
Noun(1 words)
Strong matches (12)
Related words (20)
Noun(2 words)
pardon merequest pardon
Verb(4 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: alibi, alibi out of, apologise, apologize for, apologized.
- Sentence evidence is available for apologize, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, wordnet, derived_reverse, opengloss, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "apologize".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "apologize"
Keep "apologize" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "apologize" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "apologize", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "apologize" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesMore specific
6 entriesceremonial apologyformal apologyofficial apologypublic apologysincere apologyverbal apology
Collocations
6 entriesformal apologymake an apologyoffer an apologypublic apologysincere apologyverbal apology
Inflections
6 entriesDerivations
3 entriesTranslations
8 translations across 7 languages.
Catalan
1 entries- apologitzar verb (to make an apology or defense)
Dutch
1 entries- verantwoorden verb (to make an apology or defense)
Finnish
1 entries- puolustella verb (to make an apology or defense)
French
1 entries- faire l'apologie de verb (to make an apology or defense)
Hungarian
1 entries- védőbeszédet tart verb (to make an apology or defense)
Old English
1 entries- lādung verb (to make an apology or defense)
Portuguese
2 entries- apologizar verb (to make an apology or defense)
- fazer apologia a verb (to make an apology or defense)
Sample sentences
14 total sentences available.
You must apologize to her, and that at once.
Source: tatoeba (12000)
All you have to do is apologize for being late.
Source: tatoeba (15897)
You are to apologize to her for it.
Source: tatoeba (15934)
Showing 4 of 14 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "apologize"?
Closest matches include alibi, alibi out of, apologise, apologize for, apologized.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "apologize"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.