apologetically
/əˌpɒləˈdʒetɪkli/ (bre, ipa) · /əˌpɑːləˈdʒetɪkli/ (ame, ipa)
apologetically — adverb
1. with a way of speaking, looking, or behaving that shows you regret a mistake, a
with a way of speaking, looking, or behaving that shows you regret a mistake, a wrong action, or an inconvenience you have caused.
Erik smiled apologetically as he squeezed past the other passengers on the train.
manner adverb before verb of facial expression
Zola apologetically explained that she had lost the library books her friend lent her.
Kabir looked apologetically at the broken vase, knowing it was a gift from his grandmother.
Sofia apologetically told her mother that she had forgotten to buy eggs at the market.
The waiter apologetically brought a fresh cup of coffee after spilling the first one.
- sheepishly
suggests embarrassment or shame, often about a minor fault, while apologetically focuses more on expressing regret
- contrite (adjective form used with 'look' or 'tone')
describes the person's feeling rather than the manner of an action; more formal and intense
- ruefully
adds a touch of wry, sad amusement at one's own mistake, less directly apologetic
- unapologetically
direct opposite — doing something without regret or without saying sorry
- defiantly
shows resistance or refusal to admit fault, the opposite of accepting blame
文法句型
verb + apologetically
apologetically + verb
用法筆記
Almost always modifies verbs of speech (said, explained, admitted, told) or verbs describing facial expression and body language (smiled, looked, shrugged, grinned). It is rarely used with dynamic action verbs such as ran, cooked, or built.