1. (

• apologize ,
• apologise

) acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing; "I apologized for being late"; "He apologized for the many typoes" ;

2. (

• apologize ,
• apologise ,
• excuse ,
• rationalize ,
• rationalise

) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success" ;