ion; as, one alleges haste as an
_excuse_ for carelessness. _Confession_ is a full _acknowledgment_ of
wrong, generally of a grave wrong, with or without _apology_ or
_excuse_. _Plea_ ranges in sense from a prayer for favor or pardon to an
attempt at full _vindication_. _Defense_, _exculpation_,
_justification_, and _vindication_ are more properly antonyms than
synonyms of _apology_ in its modern sense, and should be so given, but
for their connection with its historic usage. Compare CONFESS; DEFENSE.

Antonyms:

accusation, charge, condemnation, injury, offense,
censure, complaint, imputation, insult, wrong.

Prepositions:

An apology _to_ the guest _for_ the oversight would be fitting.

* * * * *

APPARENT.

Synonyms:

likely, presumable, probable, seeming.

The _apparent_ is that which appears; the word has two contrasted
senses, either of that which is manifest, visible, certain, or of that
which merely seems to be and may be very different from what is; as, the
_apparent_ motion of the sun around the earth. _Apparent_ kindness casts
a doubt on the reality of the kindness; _apparent_ neglect implies that
more care and pains may have been bestowed than we are aware of.
_Presumable_ implies that a thing may be reasonably supposed beforehand
without any full knowledge of the facts. _Probable_ implies that we know
facts enough to make us moderately confident of it. _Seeming_ expresses
great doubt of the reality; _seeming_ innocence comes very near in
meaning to _probable_ guilt. _Apparent_ indicates less assurance than
_probable_, and more than _seeming_. A man's _probable_ intent we
believe will prove to be his real intent; his _seeming_ intent we
believe to be a sham; his _apparent_ intent may be the true one, tho we
have not yet evidence on which to pronounce with certainty or even with
confidence. _Likely_ is a word with a wide range of usage, but always
implying the belief that the thing is, or will be, true; it is often
used with the infinitive, as the other words of this list can not be;
as, it is _likely_ to happen. Compare EVIDENT.

Antonyms:

doubtful, dubious, improbable, unimaginable, unlikely.

Prepositions:

(When _apparent_ is used in the sense of evident): His guilt is apparent
_in_ every act _to_ all observers.

* * * * *

APPEAR.

Synonyms:

have the appearance _or_ semblance,