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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
STRONGEST
my bad my fault
NOUN
acknowledgment of responsibility
Synonyms
STRONG
apology regret
WEAK
acknowledgment of error apologia confession penance repentance

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.

Joz, along with Federighi, delivered the mea culpa that Apple’s AI efforts so far haven’t met the company’s high quality standards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Montier’s mea culpa came in 2022, when he reflected on why his argument had been so wrong.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 24, 2025

A senior Tory told me after the election defeat the party had to "go everywhere and do a mea culpa, to listen and take a kicking".

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2025

When James Comey assumed the role of FBI director in 2013, he made a bit of a mea culpa.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

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