apologetically
In sorry fashion
Apologetically describes doing something in a manner that expresses regret or asks forgiveness.
It usually modifies how someone speaks or acts: She smiled apologetically and handed back the broken toy.
The word can suggest genuine contrition or merely the outward performance of it: He shrugged apologetically, though he clearly wasn't sorry.
With feelings of sorrow
- mournfullyIn a grieving way
- sadlyIn a sorrowful manner
- ruefullyWith sorrowful regret
- wistfullyWith pensive longing
dolefully · plaintively · pensively · somberly · melancholically · woefully · heavily · reluctantly
Expressing regret or apology
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
penitent · chagrined · abashed · ashamed · guilty · mortified · repentant · embarrassed
With good manners
- respectfullyIn a deferential way
- courteouslyWith good manners
- deferentiallyWith respectful yielding
- humblyWithout pride or arrogance
meekly · submissively · timidly · diffidently · self-effacingly · unassumingly · bashfully · shyly
In a protective manner
- justifyingProving to be reasonable
- explainingMaking something understood
- rationalizingInventing acceptable explanations afterward
- qualifyingMeeting required criteria
hedging · backpedaling · excusing · mitigating · pleading · exculpating · disclaiming · prefacing
regretfully
With feelings of sorrow
- mournfullyIn a grieving way
- sadlyIn a sorrowful manner
- ruefullyWith sorrowful regret
wistfully · dolefully · plaintively · pensively · somberly · melancholically · woefully · heavily · reluctantly · resignedly
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
contrite · penitent · chagrined · abashed · ashamed · guilty · mortified · repentant · embarrassed · red-faced
politely
With good manners
- respectfullyIn a deferential way
- courteouslyWith good manners
- deferentiallyWith respectful yielding
humbly · meekly · submissively · timidly · diffidently · self-effacingly · unassumingly · bashfully · shyly · tentatively
defensively
In a protective manner
- justifyingProving to be reasonable
- explainingMaking something understood
- rationalizingInventing acceptable explanations afterward
qualifying · hedging · backpedaling · excusing · mitigating · pleading · exculpating · disclaiming · prefacing · softening
apologeticallyunapologetically
Boldly, without regret
unrepentantly · impenitently · remorselessly · defiantly · shamelessly
apologeticallyboldly
With fearless confidence
confidently · assertively · defiantly · unapologetically · brashly