From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishapologizea‧pol‧o‧gize (also apologise British English) /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz $ əˈpɑː-/ ●●● S2 verb [intransitive] SORRY/APOLOGIZEto tell someone that you are sorry that you have done something wrong → apologetic I’m so sorry, I do apologize.apologize to I think you should apologize to your brother.apologize for (doing) something He later apologized for his behaviour. I apologize for losing my temper.RegisterIn everyday English, people often use the phrases say (you are) sorry or tell someone you are sorry, rather than apologize (to somebody): I've already apologized to him. → I’ve already told him I'm sorry.GRAMMAR: Patterns with apologize• You apologize for something: We would like to apologize for the delay. • You apologize for doing something: He apologized for being late.• You apologize to someone: We apologize to passengers for the delay. ✗Don’t say: We apologize passengers for the delay.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
apologize• The editors admitted the mistake and apologized.• Do not apologize as your weaknesses, failings and gaps in your c.v. are thrown at you.• I don't know why I apologized, because I didn't do anything wrong.• Has apologizing become a growth industry?• David Kaczynski said nobody talked about or apologized for incidents like this.• I must apologize for my son's behaviour -- he isn't usually this moody.• She apologized for slowing him down and twice advised him to leave her.• I apologize, it never takes this long.• Fredrickson talked himself out and finally flushed and apologized like always and sat back down.• She rushed into the hotel, apologizing profusely for being so late.• The US has apologized to Britain for the accident that cost nine British lives.• But all three young men apologize to Dawie.• We apologize to everyone else who has the slightest complaint or modification regarding the first annual Tucson Musicians Register.apologize for (doing) something• She apologized for her earlier position.• Sometimes she accused me; sometimes she apologized for herself.• David Kaczynski said nobody talked about or apologized for incidents like this.• They offer homemade cookies or jams or apologize for not having some ready.• Perhaps unwisely, Clinton has apologized for raising taxes in 1993.• She apologized for the muddle and ushered him into the living-room.• Authoritarians do not apologize for the smack of firm government. 