seeking forgiveness
Asking for absolution
Seeking forgiveness is the act of asking to be pardoned for a wrong or offense.
It implies acknowledgment of fault and a desire for reconciliation: After years of estrangement, he finally wrote to his sister seeking forgiveness.
The phrase suggests humility—the seeker recognizes they've caused harm and hopes the injured party will release resentment or grant absolution.
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- heartfelt apologySincere expression of remorse
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
mercy · confession · absolution · redemption · second chance · clean slate · remorse · guilt · pardon · penance · making amends · reconciliation · olive branch · burying the hatchet · contrition · regret · plea · knees
- redemptionredemption arc, redeemed, saved, moral redemption, pardoned
- guilt reactionsremorse, regret, contrition, self-blame, apology
seeking forgivenessmaking excuses
Offering justifications for shortcomings
self-justification · doubling down · blaming others · stonewalling · unapologetic
seeking forgivenessholding a grudge
seeking forgivenessholding accountable
accusing · blaming others · pressing charges · seeking justice · vindictiveness
seeking, seeks, seeker, seekers, forgive, forgiveness, forgives, forgave, forgiven