sorry but
Regretful declining phrase
Sorry but is a phrase that softens disagreement or introduces unwelcome news while signaling the speaker won't back down.
It acknowledges the listener may not like what follows: Sorry but that's just not true, Sorry but I'm not changing my mind.
The apology is often perfunctory—the speaker isn't genuinely sorry so much as bracing the listener for pushback.
- apologizeAcknowledge a fault
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- forgiveCease to blame
- no offenseVerbal cushion before criticism
- regretSorrow over past actions
unfortunately · however · to be honest · pardon · although · hesitate · awkward · interrupt · decline · refuse · sadly · alas · nonetheless · yet · still · actually · I disagree · with all due respect
- non-apologiesnon-apology, fauxpology, mistakes were made, crocodile tears, empty words
- interjectionsah, hey, aha, sheesh, oh
sorry butabsolutely
Completely, without exception
certainly · of course · by all means · no problem · sure thing
sorry buthappily
In a joyful manner
with pleasure · fantastic · wonderful · guess what · enthusiastically
sorry, but, sorrow, sorrowful, sorrowfully, sorrowing, sorrier, sorriest