English

Alternative forms

• pre-apologize

Verb

preapologize ‎(third-person singular simple present preapologizes, present participle preapologizing, simple past and past participle preapologized)

1. To apologize in advance; to apologize before the fact.
   • 1989, Robert Cetti Jr, “Detour: What Drives Paul Newman?”, Orange Coast Magazine, Oct 1989, p. 72:

     Newman was so ashamed of the film, he took out an ad in The Los Angeles Times to pre-apologize to television viewers on the eve of its late-night showing.

Usage notes

Much more common since circa 2000; compare similar usage for preapology.

Related terms

• preapology