formal apology
Structured expression remorse
A formal apology is an official expression of regret, typically issued by institutions, governments, or public figures to acknowledge wrongdoing or harm.
Unlike casual apologies between individuals, formal apologies are deliberate, often written, and may carry legal or diplomatic weight: The company issued a formal apology for the data breach.
They sometimes accompany reparations or policy changes.
- regretSorrow over past actions
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
say sorry · take responsibility · accountability · statement · public · official · letter · heartfelt · acknowledge · wrongdoing · reconciliation · make amends · amends · contrite · humble · ceremony · diplomatic · reparations
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, I am sorry
- diplomacyembassy, ambassador, ambassadors, treaty, treaties
formal apologynon-apology
Regret that admits nothing
doubling down · justification · denial · non-apology apology · excuse
formal apologydenial
Refusal to accept reality
cover-up · excuse · deflection · blame-shifting · non-apology apology
formal, apology, form, forms, formed, forming, formless, format, formation