apologising
Saying you're sorry
Apologising is the British spelling of apologizing—expressing regret or saying sorry for a wrong or offense.
The word covers everything from casual Sorry, my fault to formal statements of remorse.
To apologise for something can also mean to offer a defense or justification, though this sense is rarer: He spent the essay apologising for colonialism.
Admission of wrongdoing
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- concessionYielding a point
- owningBeing in possession
- disclosureAct of revealing information
mea culpa · concede · acceptance · accountability · responsibility · culpability · truth · honesty
Feeling guilt over misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
ashamed · abashed · chagrined · hangdog · humble · meek · subdued · self-conscious
Sorrow over past actions
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- shamePainful awareness of failure
contrition · penitence · compunction · self-reproach · anguish · heartache · disappointment · chagrin
Compensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- healingRestoration of health
- rapprochementReestablishment of harmonious relations
olive branch · truce · accord · settlement · resolution · pardon · conciliation · mediation
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- concessionYielding a point
- owningBeing in possession
disclosure · mea culpa · concede · acceptance · accountability · responsibility · culpability · truth · honesty · candor
contrite
Feeling guilt over misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
sheepish · ashamed · abashed · chagrined · hangdog · humble · meek · subdued · self-conscious · embarrassed
regret
Sorrow over past actions
shame · contrition · penitence · compunction · self-reproach · anguish · heartache · disappointment · chagrin · dismay
amends
Compensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- healingRestoration of health
rapprochement · olive branch · truce · accord · settlement · resolution · pardon · conciliation · mediation · harmony
apologisingdoubling down
Strengthening a risky commitment
standing one's ground · justifying · digging in · making excuses · rationalising
apologisingaccusing
Alleging guilt or fault
blaming · condemning · denouncing · attacking · counterattacking
apologisingblaming others
Assigning fault elsewhere
deflecting · scapegoating · passing the buck · finger-pointing · playing the victim
apology, apologize, apologetic, apologizing, apologized, apologizes, unapologetic, apologise, apologised