a·pol·o·gy
(ə-pŏĺə-jē)
[Latin apologia, from Greek apologiā, apo-, apo-, + logos, speech.]
noun: pl., -gies.
- An acknowledgment expressing regret or asking pardon for a fault or offense.
- A formal justification or defense.
- An explanation or excuse: “The consequence of those measures will be the best apology for my conduct” (Daniel Defoe)
- An inferior substitute: The sagging cot was a poor apology for a bed.
synonyms:
apology, apologia, defense, justification These nouns denote a statement that excuses or defends something, such as a past action or a policy: arguments that constituted an apology for capital punishment; published an apologia expounding her version of the events; a defense based on ignorance of the circumstances; an untenable justification for police brutality.
