apologise
Express one's regret
Apologise is the British spelling of apologize—to express regret for a fault or offense: I apologise for the delay.
The word can range from genuine contrition to mere social lubricant.
To apologise for something can also mean to defend it formally, though this sense is rare outside academic contexts.
Compensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
reparation · settlement · olive-branch · conciliation · truce · pardon · mediation · compromise
Moral self-reproach
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- regretSorrow over past actions
penitence · compunction · self-reproach · embarrassment · sheepishness · rueful · chagrin · mortification
Expressing regret or apology
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- apologiesExpressions of regret
- sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
genuine · profuse · humble · unreserved · formal · written · public · verbal
Acknowledge wrongdoing openly
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
- admitConfess or grant entry
- recognizePerceive as known
disclosure · honesty · accountability · confession · candor · transparency
amends
Compensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
harmony · reparation · settlement · olive-branch · conciliation · truce · pardon · mediation · compromise · reconciliation
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
regret · penitence · compunction · self-reproach · embarrassment · sheepishness · rueful · chagrin · mortification · humiliation
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- apologiesExpressions of regret
- sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
heartfelt · genuine · profuse · humble · unreserved · formal · written · public · verbal · personal
confess
Acknowledge wrongdoing openly
- acknowledgeConfirm receipt or truth
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
- admitConfess or grant entry
recognize · disclosure · honesty · accountability · confession · candor · transparency
apologisestand one's ground
Refuse to back down
unapologetic · double down · blame · deny · accuse
- I apologizeExpression of remorse
- non-apology apologiesInsincere expressions of regret
apologize, apologizing, apologized, apologizes, apologist, apologised, apologises, apologising, apologists