Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun apology

3 senses of apology

Sense 1
apology -- (an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone; "he wrote a letter of apology to the hostess")
       => acknowledgment, acknowledgement -- (a statement acknowledging something or someone; "she must have seen him but she gave no sign of acknowledgment"; "the preface contained an acknowledgment of those who had helped her")

Sense 2
apology, apologia -- (a formal written defense of something you believe in strongly)
       => defense, defence, vindication -- (the justification for some act or belief; "he offered a persuasive defense of the theory")

Sense 3
apology, excuse -- (a poor example; "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile")
       => example, illustration, instance, representative -- (an item of information that is typical of a class or group; "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10")