5
sheepish(adjective, humble)
5
sorrowful(adjective, sad, unhappy, sorry, regretful)
4
defensive(adjective, self-justifying, self-protective)
4
expiatory(adjective, regret, remorse)
4
sad(adjective, unhappy, sorry, regretful, remorseful)
3
embarrassed
3
humbled
3
justificatory
3
penitentiary
3
self-reproachful(adjective, sad, unhappy)
2
attritional(adjective, sad, unhappy, humble, sorry)
2
homely(adjective, humble)
2
meek(adjective, humble)
2
melted(sad, unhappy)
2
mild(adjective, humble)
2
modest(adjective, humble)
2
self-effacing(adjective, humble, regret, remorse)
2
self-incriminating(adjective, sorry, regret, remorse, remorseful)
2
shamefaced(adjective, sad, unhappy)
1
abashed(adjective, humble)
11 years ago|5.9k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). apologetic thesaurus. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/apologetic/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "apologetic thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/apologetic/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, apologetic thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/apologetic/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "apologetic thesaurus" 14 April 2015. Web. 23 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/apologetic/thesaurus/synonyms>