apologise

verb

1. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning

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rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior

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he rationalized his lack of success

• Syn: ↑apologize, ↑excuse, ↑justify, ↑rationalize, ↑rationalise

• Derivationally related forms:

↑rationalisation (for: ↑rationalise), ↑rationalization (for: ↑rationalize), ↑justificative (for: ↑justify), ↑justificatory (for: ↑justify), ↑justifiable (for: ↑justify), ↑justification (for: ↑justify), ↑justifier (for: ↑justify), ↑excusatory (for: ↑excuse), ↑excuse (for: ↑excuse), ↑apology

• Hypernyms: ↑defend, ↑support, ↑fend for

• Hyponyms:

↑color, ↑colour, ↑gloss, ↑plead, ↑extenuate, ↑palliate, ↑mitigate

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s something

2. acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing

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I apologized for being late

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He apologized for the many typoes

• Syn: ↑apologize

• Derivationally related forms: ↑apology, ↑apology (for: ↑apologize)

• Entailment: ↑admit, ↑acknowledge

• Verb Frames:

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Somebody ——s

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Somebody ——s that CLAUSE

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Somebody ——s to somebody