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
While apologetic about how vendors have been treated, the executives urged them to stick with Saks and Saks Off 5th, and expressed extreme confidence that the deal to buy the Neiman Marcus Group would soon close, ultimately benefiting — and not hurting — them.
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David Moin, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Recovering in the hospital after a distracted stumble into traffic, Garfield’s Tobias meets the apologetic woman who struck him with her vehicle: Almut (Florence Pugh), a talented and fiercely ambitious chef.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Blanchett is apologetic and melancholy as Cate, and wonderfully snotty as Shelly, critiquing the privilege and luxury that the actress knows that famous people like her take for granted.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024
The man who had been yelling at Kelce for the past few minutes, meanwhile, switched to an apologetic, complimentary demeanor, and appeared to be embarrassed by his actions.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apologetic 
David Moin, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Recovering in the hospital after a distracted stumble into traffic, Garfield’s Tobias meets the apologetic woman who struck him with her vehicle: Almut (Florence Pugh), a talented and fiercely ambitious chef.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Blanchett is apologetic and melancholy as Cate, and wonderfully snotty as Shelly, critiquing the privilege and luxury that the actress knows that famous people like her take for granted.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024
The man who had been yelling at Kelce for the past few minutes, meanwhile, switched to an apologetic, complimentary demeanor, and appeared to be embarrassed by his actions.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apologetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologetic
Adjective
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Maybe that’s Activision’s way of saying sorry for the rampant cheating that’s plagued Warzone lately.Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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For a country that prides itself on freedom, Florida’s book, class and topic bans are a sorry sight.Brayden Pryor, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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What follows is a study in guilt, responsibility, and anguish, all told in ashamed interiority on Murphy’s face.Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
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When parents don’t replicate these behaviors in real life, kids might feel disappointed or even ashamed.Holly Garcia, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The crew seems to have learned their lesson, or at least put on their most remorseful faces.Emma Soren, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024
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Caleb's very remorseful and his heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Parris family.Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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A day later, Harbaugh wasn’t so much as regretful as he was discontented.Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024
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He's earned this opportunity by growing into what appears to be a good young man after being, like many of us, a youth full of regretful decisions.Phil Hay, The Athletic, 3 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Scotty was pretty contrite during the reunion, but Aria was clearly heartbroken.Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
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Guests might be more understanding of these lapses in service in amenities if room rates were reasonable and the hotels were more contrite.Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In his new statement, Suga took an even more repentant tone, apologizing for damaging his reputation and disappointing fans while opening himself to any further punishment.Justin Curto, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2024
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Released 24 years after a debut verse on an album no less auspicious than Outkast’s Stankonia, this was a veteran artist taking stock, vividly drawing the lines between the struggling kid and the grateful, repentant adult.Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near apologetic
Cite this Entry
“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologetic. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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