apologetic

adjective

ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tik How to pronounce apologetic (audio)
Definition of apologeticnext
as in sorry
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done was profusely apologetic after accidentally breaking a treasured plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apologetic An apologetic statement this week and commitment to not letting history repeat itself has, though, done little to placate the intensifying scrutiny of his leadership. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 The cleaning lady was very apologetic and offered to pay for the sink itself. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 And Jonathan is a continuing reminder that liberalism doesn’t have to be apologetic or bashful about itself. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Instead of trying to hide the battery pack behind oversized body panels, the Streetdog integrates it into the overall silhouette in a way that feels deliberate rather than apologetic. — Utkarsh Sood june 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologetic
  1. sorry
  2. ashamed
  3. remorseful
  4. regretful
  5. contrite
  6. repentant
Adjective
  • That’s all before setting aside the time to manage a fantasy football roster, oversee a gambling hobby, or make sure you’re fully briefed for the next all-hands—sorry, hangout—at the bar.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Skin care picks to pamper your complexion Swapping out your skin care for thicker, richer formulas in fall and winter is a prime example (sorry, had to do it) of working smarter, not harder.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of sorry
Adjective
  • For a long time, Williams felt ashamed about having to use buy now, pay later for basic expenses.
    — Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Zirin handily establishes that Zinn’s intention was to make readers feel empowered, not ashamed.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of ashamed
Adjective
  • The 6-foot-3, 246-pound junior was remorseful after the game.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Olivier tortured himself over her condition, remorseful and exhausted.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of remorseful
Adjective
  • Responses varied by age and gender, with the most regretful group being Gen Z women.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regina genuinely likes Louis, is regretful about getting loud with him, and after learning about Claudia feels sorry for him.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of regretful
Adjective
  • The veteran receiver, who joined the Commanders as a free agent in August, was contrite.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • On Sunday a contrite Brewster apologized.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
Definition of contrite
Adjective
  • Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.
    — Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.
    — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
Definition of repentant

Browse Nearby Words

Apollonian
apologetic
apologia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologetic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All