Apology

A sincere expression of regret for causing harm or offense.

Reach for it when naming accountable words that acknowledge a specific wrong

His direct apology opened the way to renewed trust.

• playful

  mea culpa

  a concise admission of personal fault suits an informed informal audience

  not when The Latin phrase can sound glib and may trivialize serious harm.

• everyday

  regret

  sorrow about an outcome is all that can honestly be stated

  not when Regret can remain private and does not acknowledge harm to another person.

• warm

  amends

  actions repair the harm after words have been offered

  not when Amends go beyond an apology and cannot be substituted for one sincere statement.

• professional

  acknowledgment

  the first need is to name what happened

  not when Acknowledgment may name the facts without carrying any regret.

• formal

  confession

  hidden wrongdoing is being admitted

  not when Confession reveals responsibility but can be self-serving and is not necessarily an apology.

• formal

  contrition

  deep remorse is the inner response

  not when Contrition is an inward feeling; the harmed person may never receive an apology.

• justification
• denial
• defiance

• sincere apology

  A sincere apology named the damaged trust without asking for quick forgiveness.

• offer an apology

  The director will offer an apology before explaining the repair plan.

• public apology

  Her public apology corrected the false claim in the same forum.