Synonyms for Sorry
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: When you need an alternative for sorry, consider words like apologetic or remorseful for formal contexts, or clumsy for informal ones. Each option carries a specific tone, so choose the one that fits your situation best to convey the right level of regret.
Closest Synonyms for Sorry
- apologetic
- Shows readiness to say sorry, such as: She was apologetic for being late.
- remorseful
- Implies deep regret, like: He felt remorseful about his mistake.
- regretful
- Indicates sadness over a past action, as in: They were regretful for the decision.
- penitent
- Suggests guilt and shame, for example: He looked penitent during the apology.
- contrite
- Means feeling deep remorse, such as: She was contrite for hurting him.
- ashamed
- Focuses on shame, like: He felt ashamed for lying.
- bad
- A simple way to express fault, for instance: It was bad of me to forget.
- unfortunate
- Suggests bad luck, like: That was an unfortunate accident.
- awkward
- Used for social discomfort, such as: It was awkward when he left.
- regrettable
- Describes something sad to happen, as in: The news was regrettable.
- regret
- A noun or verb for sadness, for example: Please accept my regret.
Formal Synonyms for Sorry
- deeply sorry
- Intense apology, as in: I am deeply sorry for your loss.
- profuse apologies
- Many apologies, like: Please accept my profuse apologies.
- duly
- Used in legal contexts, such as: He was duly apologized for.
- regrettable incident
- Formal phrase, for instance: This was a regrettable incident.
- penurious
- Note that penurious usually means lacking money, so it is not a true synonym for sorry and should be avoided here.
- abashed
- This describes feeling ashamed or embarrassed, often felt when one is abashed for making a social mistake.
- remorse
- This noun form represents the feeling itself, as shown when he felt remorse for his harsh words.
- contrition
- This noun describes the state of being sorry, visible when her contrition moved everyone around her.
- unapologetic
- This is the opposite of sorry, indicating a refusal to apologize, such as remaining unapologetic for the delay.
Informal Synonyms for Sorry
- clumsy
- For mistakes, such as: I was so clumsy with the glass.
- oops
- Light mistake, as in: Oops, I dropped the keys.
- my bad
- Slang for fault, like: Forgot the book? My bad.
- sucks
- Casual regret, such as: This day really sucks.
- terrible
- Strong casual feeling, for example: I feel terrible about this.
- awful
- General sadness, like: That sounds awful.
- dumb
- For silly errors, such as: I was dumb to trust him.
- poor
- Soft regret, as in: Poor choice, indeed.
- lousy
- Negative description, like: What a lousy situation.
Antonyms for Sorry
- glad
- happy
- pleased
- content
- delighted
- joyful
- cheerful
- thrilled
- ecstatic
- overjoyed
How to Pick the Right Synonym
Choose your word based on the depth of your regret and the relationship with the listener. Formal words like remorseful work best for serious mistakes, while casual terms like my bad fit friendly chats. Always consider the context to ensure your tone matches the situation perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best synonym for sorry?
The best synonym depends on context. Apologetic works well for general situations, while remorseful is better for deep guilt. Always match the word to the severity of the mistake you made.
Are there formal synonyms for sorry?
Yes, formal synonyms include words like contrite, penitent, and regrettable. These terms are suitable for professional settings or serious apologies where a polished tone is required.
Can sorry be used as a noun?
Sorry is primarily an adjective or interjection, but the noun form regret exists. You can say the mistake was regrettable, but rarely call the feeling sorry itself.
What is the opposite of sorry?
The opposite of sorry includes words like glad, happy, or pleased. These terms express joy or satisfaction, which is the direct emotional opposite of feeling regret or apology.
