apologized

Apologized is the past tense and past participle of the verb apologize in American English. In British English, the corresponding spelling is apologised. The verb means to express regret for an offense, mistake, or inconvenience, to acknowledge fault, or to seek forgiveness. It is typically used with a direct object and a prepositional phrase, as in "She apologized to him for arriving late" or "The company apologized for the delay." The noun form is apology, and phrases such as "offer an apology" or "make an apology" are common.

Grammatical notes include that apologize is a regular verb; its past tense forms are apologized (US) or apologised (UK), and the present participle is apologizing (US) or apologising (UK). The verb can take an indirect object (to someone) and a for-clause indicating the reason.

Etymology traces apologize to the Latin and Greek roots related to defending or explaining oneself. The modern sense of expressing regret emerged over time, shifting from a notion of making a defense to acknowledging fault and seeking forgiveness.

Usage and tone vary by context. In everyday speech, "I'm sorry" is often preferred for brief or informal apologies, while "I apologize" or "I apologize to you for" is common in formal or professional communication. Apology practices can differ across cultures, but the general aim is to acknowledge harm and, when possible, repair the relationship.

See also: apology, remorse, forgiveness.