apologizers

Those seeking forgiveness

Apologizers are people who apologize—those who express regret or say sorry for something.

The term often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting the apologies are excessive, insincere, or unwarranted: The apologizers for the regime tried to explain away its failures.

Someone labeled an apologizer may be seen as making excuses rather than genuine amends.

remorse

guilt

Moral self-reproach

contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs

sorrow · shame · self-reproach · compunction · regret · ruefulness · attrition · heartache · anguish · chagrin

accountability

responsibility

State of being answerable

ownershipLegal right of possession
culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
liabilityLegal or financial obligation

answerability · duty · obligation · admission · acknowledgment · reckoning · conscience · integrity · honesty · transparency

conciliation

peacemakers

Those who resolve conflicts

mediatorsConflict resolution facilitators
diplomatsForeign government representatives
reconcilersThose who restore accord

bridge-builders · olive branch · amends · appeasers · placaters · negotiators · smoothers · pacifiers · go-betweens · intermediaries

Opposites

contrition vs. defiance

apologizersdeniers

Those who reject claims

blamers · defenders · justifiers · deflectors · accusers

self-blame vs. blame-shifting

apologizersdeflectors

Surfaces that redirect forces

accusers · blamers · scapegoaters · rationalizers · self-justifiers

appeasement vs. aggression

apologizersaggressors

Initiators of hostility

attackers · antagonizers · provocateurs · hardliners · antagonists

Phrases

I apologizeExpression of remorse

Family

apologize, apologized, apologizes, apologizer

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