The verb apologize has 2 senses (first 1 from tagged texts)
1. (3) apologize, apologise -- (acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing; "I apologized for being late"; "He apologized for the many typoes")
2. apologize, apologise, excuse, justify, rationalize, rationalise -- (defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success")