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
In fact, our new characters are exceedingly apologetic drivers.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
That letter arrived after shorter apologetic statements from BAFTA and Davidson, along with an earlier apology from the BBC.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
In the final moments before learning his fate, Whaley addressed the judge and appeared apologetic.
—Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The professor who gave me the news was polite and professional, apologetic even.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
That letter arrived after shorter apologetic statements from BAFTA and Davidson, along with an earlier apology from the BBC.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026
In the final moments before learning his fate, Whaley addressed the judge and appeared apologetic.
—Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The professor who gave me the news was polite and professional, apologetic even.
—Kori Schake, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologetic
Adjective
-
Their modus operandi is to rescue interesting old buildings in a sorry state of disrepair and liberally sprinkle fairy dust over them.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Foggy is still dead, guys, sorry.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Padilla and Damon’s characters are driven to near-madness over the blue spots, with Damon’s husband character accusing their son, a delightfully ashamed Andrew Dismukes.—
Rima Parikh,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
-
Appraisal will rely on the extent of your Radiohead fandom and your identification with creature-characters, often crying or cowering with their head in their hands, who are unremittingly sad and ashamed and embarrassed by the barbarism of simple existence.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, and the high-profile punishments incurred by those who weren’t properly remorseful, Kirk morphed into one of the most widespread memes in recent memory.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Horner did not seem remorseful in the interview, Espinoza said.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Dusabejambo listened to harrowing stories from survivors and heard brutal confessions from regretful perpetrators.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
But even a wildly successful World Cup month might be looked back on as a regretful case of what-ifs.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Did Ye really write, or at least authorize, that contrite statement in the Wall Street Journal?—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
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
-
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 19 May. 2026.
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