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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apologetic
Carolyn, as ever, looks embarrassed and apologetic when Berman finds out.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
The new letter comes after shorter apologetic statements from BAFTA and Davidson were published on Monday.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2026
The Frenchman fluffed his lines in the first half, skewing wide on his left foot when well placed in front of goal, and also saw an almost apologetic effort blocked shortly before Bournemouth’s equaliser.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Creative work becomes pre-apologetic.
—Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
The new letter comes after shorter apologetic statements from BAFTA and Davidson were published on Monday.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 Feb. 2026
The Frenchman fluffed his lines in the first half, skewing wide on his left foot when well placed in front of goal, and also saw an almost apologetic effort blocked shortly before Bournemouth’s equaliser.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Creative work becomes pre-apologetic.
—Richard P. Weigand, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologetic
Adjective
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Despite today’s sorry state, Riverside was once the cemetery of choice.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
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To be sure, few freedom-loving people are sorry to see Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, gone.—
Storer H. Rowley,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even as workers reach a breaking point, many still feel ashamed to seek help from food banks or family, Finlay said.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Experts agree plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures are nothing to be ashamed of and transparency from celebrities is critical to dismantling unhealthy beauty norms.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His public defender told reporters on Thursday that her client was remorseful.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Melling’s scenes all took place in the objectively less exciting muggle universe, occurring along a fairly straightforward arc from spoiled bully to remorseful young adult.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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My sole interaction with the mother was calm and with good intentions, and the outcome of the encounter is regretful.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
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And the conflict behind it all dates back to a regretful college recruitment and housing decision.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Despite reading Whitney’s letter at least twice, Henry — a narcissist — seems baffled that Whitney is not more contrite.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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When one woman sees her bad behavior caught on camera, she’s initially contrite.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.—
Beatrice Peterson,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologetic. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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