apologetic
28
3.7
- adjective
- /əˌpɑləˈdʒɛtɪk/
:
disculpatorio
- She was very apologetic after missing the meeting and promised to make it up to everyone.
- apologetic tone
- feel apologetic
- almost apologetic
I had, I had coffee with the chief constable of, of Homicide and you know, he was, he was very apologetic in a very dead eyed way.
- I had, I had coffee with the chief constable of, of Homicide and you know, he was, he was very apologetic in a very dead eyed way.
- Now, I think the first thing that you've got to learn to do is to be kind of assertive and you have to kind of say no without being apologetic.
- Sean didn't show, Bob did show, and he was apologetic and, you know, the whole thing.
- But now not so much because you you seem so apologetic about which if it's oatmeal or oatmeal milk.
- We, you know, we're quiet and apologetic and I think those are important traits to maintain.
Examples
-
What I what I find with women frequently is that they will offer a perspective in almost an apologetic way.
-
"Her smile was both apologetic and rueful as Sarah bent down and hugged her."
Fiction book (1992) -
But I, I do believe for my part that he does feel apologetic over that incident.
-
There is no need to be apologetic.
-
We, you know, we're quiet and apologetic and I think those are important traits to maintain.
-
And I'm incredibly apologetic about that.
-
But I'm not a naturally apologetic woman, so it takes me a little longer to get my thoughts in order.
-
Mr. Kaplan was very apologetic.
-
The offender quickly becomes embarrassed and apologetic and does not repeat the behavior.
Academic text (2009) -
We are deeply and sincerely apologetic for the way our dear daughter has reacted to this situation.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Feeling regret for something you did
504
1.0
Feeling embarrassed and guilty about something you did or failed to do
18
4.6
Feeling very sorry for doing something that hurt someone
13
8.1
Feeling very sorry for doing something wrong and wanting forgiveness
9
2.9
Feeling sorry for something you did or said
8
4.8
Feeling sorry about something you did and wanting to make it right
5
7.8
Feeling sorry about something you did and showing it
Showing that you are sorry for something
Showing you are sorry and giving a reason for a mistake
Antonyms
How Sorry
Surface Forms
Morphology
apologetic = apology (transparent) = apolog + etic
The adjective is a regular formation from 'apology' (or 'apologize') with the productive adjectival suffix '-etic', so learners who know 'apology' can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Apologetic comes from the noun apology, from Greek apologia, which meant 'a speech to defend yourself' or 'an explanation'. So to be apologetic is to show you are sorry, like giving a short 'I am sorry' message.