apologize in WordNet English dictionary

1. acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
   "I apologized for being late"; "He apologized for the many typoes"
   apologize  apologise 
   
2. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
   "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
   apologize  apologise  excuse  justify  rationalize  rationalise