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mea culpa

noun

Definition of mea culpanext
as in apology

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mea culpa Britain’s mea culpa follows apologies from Scotland, Wales, the Church of England and other nations, as countries confront postwar policies that separated unwed mothers and infants. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 On The View Tuesday, Vance elaborated on that mea culpa. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 17 June 2026 But is their mea culpa too little, too late? — Alex Hogan, STAT, 12 June 2026 And, by extension, why Almodóvar was so motivated to conceive of this unapologetic mea culpa. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mea culpa
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mea culpa
  1. apology
  2. excuses
  3. sorrow
  4. sadness
  5. grief
  6. distress
  7. ruth
Noun
  • While the rest of the table is encouraging growth and forgiveness, Meredith is refusing to budge, completely stonewalling this apology and completely willing to die on this hill.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • And yes, the internet — and the virtue-signaling media — got so outraged by it, that Manning, and Sarkisian, were forced to issue apologies.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of apology
Noun
  • Catch and eliminate personal excuses, justifications, or peer comparisons.
    — Brendan Keegan, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But voters should not reward candidates who hide behind weak excuses when avoiding debates and other unscripted events.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of excuses
Noun
  • With her toadstool-like jet-black perm and dark red lipstick, Haru is a striking presence, the sensuousness of her moves conveying both longing and sorrow.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Oakley and Reid lean so heavily into Elinor and Marianne’s crushing disappointments and the forces holding them back in a period of vast gender inequity, that their sorrows shove the characters’ more captivating qualities to the side.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • This year's report finds that levels of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness among high schoolers have fallen in recent years – from 42% in 2021, to 40% in 2023 and 33% in 2025.
    — Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Scott is tremendous and tragic in the film, maybe more so in its moments of dark humor than in its final beats of near operatic sadness.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • The school said grief counselors are available for students who would like to talk, while staff members are able to listen and provide support, according to WSAZ.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This curiosity for the many shapes of grief is translated in the film through magical realism.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of grief
Noun
  • In years past, department statistics showed at least a third of all police shootings involved someone with obvious signs of emotional distress.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The suit claims damages of false imprisonment, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of distress
Noun
  • Her sensitive and sublime renderings of such states in her fiction and poetry exemplify this ruth.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
Definition of ruth

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mea culpa
mead
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Cite this Entry

“Mea culpa.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mea%20culpa. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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