apologetic

[uh-pol-uh-jet-ik] / əˌpɒl əˈdʒɛt ɪk /

ADJECTIVE

expressing remorse, regret

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conciliatory contrite regretful remorseful repentant sorry

WEAK

atoning attritional compunctious expiatory explanatory on one's knees penitent penitential propitiatory rueful self-effacing self-incriminating supplicating

Antonyms

STRONGEST

happy unrepentant

WEAK

defiant defying

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The author seems almost apologetic for the decidedly dismal message she carries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

I emailed Wille and got an apologetic response a few days later.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

But her very existence gave a certain kind of young woman a compelling model of how to be a brasher, less apologetic, more feminist person in the world.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

At times, he had appeared apologetic after an incident and was said to have told one female staff member he "can't help myself".

From BBC • Nov. 28, 2025

When Danny came out into the alley with his own fistful of nails, I gave James a strained, apologetic smile.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Vocabulary lists containing apologetic

Feeling Sorry?

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myPerspectives 6.3

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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ic

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