acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing; "I apologized for being late"; "He apologized for the many typoes"
To make an apology or excuse; to make acknowledgment of some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it, by way of amends;-with for; as, my correspondent apologized for not answering my letter
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"