forgive me
Please excuse my transgression
Forgive me is a request for pardon or understanding, ranging from genuine apology to polite social formula.
It may express sincere remorse: Forgive me, I should never have said that.
More often it softens an interruption, correction, or disagreement: Forgive me, but I think you're mistaken.
The phrase can also be mildly ironic, preceding a pointed observation: Forgive me for noticing, but you haven't paid your share.
Expressing regret or apology
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- excuse meApology for minor intrusion
- I apologizeExpression of remorse
- my apologiesExpression of regret
mea culpa · I beg your pardon · regrets · please · mercy · understanding · patience · indulgence
Admission of wrongdoing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- faultImperfection or blame
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
culpability · wrongdoing · transgression · sin · mistake · error · misstep · blunder
Recovery or moral restoration
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
restitution · expiation · absolution · salvation · sacrifice · making good · compensation · reconciliation
Guilt for wrongdoing
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- regretSorrow over past actions
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- penitentOne showing remorse
ashamed · humility · compunction · ruefulness · anguish · grief · heavyhearted · chagrin
Freedom from disturbance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- reunionGathering after separation
- accordHarmony between parties
- olive branchSymbol of reconciliation
mediation · healing · understanding · resolution · rapprochement · mending · restoration · truce
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- excuse meApology for minor intrusion
- I apologizeExpression of remorse
my apologies · mea culpa · I beg your pardon · regrets · please · mercy · understanding · patience · indulgence · leniency
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- faultImperfection or blame
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
responsibility · culpability · wrongdoing · transgression · sin · mistake · error · misstep · blunder · lapse
redemption
Recovery or moral restoration
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
reparation · restitution · expiation · absolution · salvation · sacrifice · making good · compensation · reconciliation · healing
remorse
Guilt for wrongdoing
penitent · ashamed · humility · compunction · ruefulness · anguish · grief · heavyhearted · chagrin · mortification
peace
Freedom from disturbance
olive branch · mediation · healing · understanding · resolution · rapprochement · mending · restoration · truce · detente
- Pleasantriesplease, thank you, thanks, sorry, excuse me
- apologiessorry, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology, I am sorry
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
- Apology wordsapology, oops, excuse me, pardon me, my bad
- humble requestplease, beg, appeal, petition, entreaty
- oopsoops, whoops, whoopsie, oopsie, woopsie
forgive meshame on you
Spoken moral rebuke
damn you · how dare you · accuse · you owe me · point the finger
forgive meno apologies
unapologetic · deal with it · so what · sue me · take it or leave it
forgive, forgiveness, forgiving, forgiven, unforgiving, unforgivable, forgives, forgivable, unforgiven