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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Although not all species of bird can fly (sorry about that, ostriches), many birds do enjoy the power of flight, and this has permitted an almost unlimited diversification of birds, so that birds are now found virtually everywhere on Earth.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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But there is one more ingredient, something that has perhaps been buried underneath everything else in the sorry mess of their 2025-26 campaign.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Maybe the mere fact of having been born illustrious, with no apparent faults, with nothing to prove or to be ashamed of, had liberated John from the resentments the rest of us feel, and from the cunning and ambition such resentments fuel.—
Jeffrey Eugenides,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
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This is a terrible blow against reform and the Dems should be ashamed.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Todd Kesterson of Kaufman Rossin said his remorseful clients aren't necessarily strapped for cash, but are frequently displeased when their children's fortunes exceed theirs.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
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His public defender told reporters on Thursday that her client was remorseful.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 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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Did Ye really write, or at least authorize, that contrite statement in the Wall Street Journal?—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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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
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
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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 9 Apr. 2026.
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