apologize

Verb

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

• acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
  • I apologized for being late
    
  • He apologized for the many typoes
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  apologise , excuse , justify , rationalize , rationalise