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mea culpa

[mey-uh kuhl-puh, mee-uh, me-ah kool-pah] / ˈmeɪ ə ˈkʌl pə, ˈmi ə, ˈmɛ ɑ ˈkʊl pɑ /
INTERJECTION
guilt acknowledgment
Synonyms




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.

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"You didn't ask for all the flashing lights... I wish I knew the pain I caused," sings Madonna in a rare mea culpa.

From BBC Jul. 2, 2026

We’ve already done one mea culpa this week and don’t want to set ourselves up for another, but: This is supremely unlikely, for basically every reason.

From Slate Jun. 13, 2026

Three months later, I published a mea culpa, in which I renounced my support for Trump and apologized for my hurtful deeds and rhetoric.

From Salon Jun. 8, 2026

But at the very least, it deserves some kind of mea culpa from Becerra or lessons learned, a more robust conversation than the brush-off it’s been getting.

From Los Angeles Times May 15, 2026

If Toby went to the apartment right now, a mea culpa on his lips, Luke would forgive him.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss




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