Synonyms for apologetic
- adjective
Most common
remorseful regretful repentant contrite justificatory excusatory
Definitions
- adj. 1
Having the character of apology; regretfully excusing.
His tone was apologetic as he explained what had happened.
Related words
- Word family
- apologetically apologia apologist apologize apology
Example sentences
- remorseful Sami was very remorseful and he told the truth.
- regretful He is regretful that he couldn't go.
- contrite She fidgeted, looking noticeably contrite.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| apologetic | rising | |
| remorseful | rising | |
| regretful | rising | |
| repentant | rising | |
| contrite | rising | |
| justificatory | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- sorry2
- 6 letters
- rueful2
- 8 letters
- penitent3, contrite2
- 9 letters
- regretful3, repentant3
- 10 letters
- palliative4, remorseful3, excusatory
- 13 letters
- justificatory
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (sorry2 = 2 syllables).