apologetic
Full of remorse
Apologetic describes someone who is expressing regret or making excuses for a fault or failure: She was apologetic about arriving late.
The word can also describe a tone or manner that conveys this sense of regret: an apologetic smile, an apologetic shrug.
Someone who is unapologetic shows no regret or remorse.
Separately, apologetics refers to the formal defense of a position, especially religious doctrine—not about saying sorry but about making a case.
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
sorry · ashamed · shamefaced · sheepish · abashed · chagrined · mortified · humiliated
Deserving blame for wrongdoing
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- faultImperfection or blame
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- self-blameAttributing fault to oneself
self-accusation · self-reproach · compunction · contrition · pangs of conscience · guilty conscience · mea culpa · admission
Compensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
making up · peace offering · olive branch · mending fences · restoration · redress · propitiation · penance
Reason proving rightness
- explanationStatement making something clear
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationaleStated basis for action
- alibiDefense of location
pretext · plea · mitigation · extenuation · vindication · exculpation · cop-out · evasion
Official release from punishment
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
leniency · exoneration · acquittal · condonation · reprieve · indulgence · forbearance · compassion
remorseful
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
rueful · sorry · ashamed · shamefaced · sheepish · abashed · chagrined · mortified · humiliated · guilt-ridden
culpability
Deserving blame for wrongdoing
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- faultImperfection or blame
- responsibilityState of being answerable
self-blame · self-accusation · self-reproach · compunction · contrition · pangs of conscience · guilty conscience · mea culpa · admission · acknowledgment
atonement
Compensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensationPayment for services rendered
reconciliation · making up · peace offering · olive branch · mending fences · restoration · redress · propitiation · penance · expiation
justification
Reason proving rightness
- explanationStatement making something clear
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationaleStated basis for action
alibi · pretext · plea · mitigation · extenuation · vindication · exculpation · cop-out · evasion · rationalization
pardon
Official release from punishment
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
grace · leniency · exoneration · acquittal · condonation · reprieve · indulgence · forbearance · compassion · understanding
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, I am sorry
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- Apology wordsoops, excuse me, pardon me, my bad, forgive me
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- insecuritiesinsecurity, self-doubt, low self-esteem, inadequacy, inferiority
- religious textsBible, scriptures, Bible translations, Gospels, Koran
apologeticunapologetic
Showing no remorse
unrepentant · remorseless · impenitent · defiant · unashamed