as in sorry
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
was profusely apologetic after accidentally breaking a treasured plate
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Recent Examples of apologetic
After the loss, Lyra Valkyria gave Becky Lynch an apologetic look.
—
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The White House isn’t feeling apologetic about the mix-up: That attorney who admitted to the mistake was suspended.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
Will has so much defensiveness, but Caleb has a sort of an apologetic sense about him.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
The four-time major winner was suitably apologetic and empathetic to Musetti’s plight.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The White House isn’t feeling apologetic about the mix-up: That attorney who admitted to the mistake was suspended.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
Will has so much defensiveness, but Caleb has a sort of an apologetic sense about him.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
The four-time major winner was suitably apologetic and empathetic to Musetti’s plight.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologetic
Adjective
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There will be no combustion engine on board—sorry, V-8 fans—with all the power required to run the control and motion systems for the foils, the keel and rudder, and the onboard computers and instruments generated autonomously while under sail.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
26 June 2025
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Even savvy healthcare consumers – aka patients – will have a hard time reining in healthcare spending in the face of physicians preaching an ethic of better safe than sorry.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Her advice to others facing this journey is to speak openly, accept support, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
22 June 2025
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City leaders should be ashamed for letting this issue get so out of hand.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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But for once, or maybe twice, Hill seemed genuinely remorseful and reflective this week.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
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Rose gambled on the game, lied about it for years and never seemed truly remorseful.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Even really successful cast members are a little regretful or self-deprecating about it, or feel anxious even talking about it.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
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As a holistic therapist, she’s unfortunately seen this issue come up time and time again: individuals who overshare too soon, confuse emotional exposure with connection, and later feel raw, misunderstood, or regretful.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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How did so many Germans become contrite about the Nazi past?—
Gary J. Bass,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.—
Anthony Paletta,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Over these last weeks, however, I have been nudged into a repentant apology by his profound take on our political crisis and a sincere and accurate Christian analysis of the problems and deliberate practical steps the individual Christian citizen can take during this holy season.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
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Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologetic. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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