apology

noun3

1. •
   a statement in which someone admits they harmed another person and says they regret it

   • What he said really hurt my feelings, but his apology sounded so sincere that I couldn't help but forgive him.
   • The CEO made a public apology for the scandal, and promised full cooperation with the authorities.
2. •
   Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.

   • [He] goes to work devising apologies for window curtains. — 1852
3. •
   A formal justification, defence.