weak apology

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak apology" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing an apology that lacks sincerity or depth. For example, "His weak apology did little to mend the situation." Alternative expressions include "insincere apology" and "half-hearted apology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In an emailed statement to iPolitics, Yeung Collucci offered a rather weak apology stating that it was not "representative" of her views and apologized "to anyone who might have been offended".

Vice

When we argued, the slaps came first, then his weak apology: "I love you.

The New York Times

I think it can be done; I'm hopeful he does it, but it will not work if he bases his case on a weak apology and a promise to follow orders.

The New Yorker

This was a weak apology from someone said to have been 'ill', which is the ostensible reason he was nowhere to be seen while Tepco staff and others were gamely and vainly trying to control its damaged Fukushima reactors.

The Guardian

Though, it's a pretty weak apology.

TechCrunch

It was all fraud and a last act sleight of hand, wholesale burglary of distant culture, rescued by lobbyist sleaze, public relations sorcery, and weak apology.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And when confronted, they offered the following weak-ass apology: "We would like to start by saying it was not our intention to offend or upset anyone, but it can be hard to please the whole world and the different cultures, values and beliefs that exists".

Vice

I grudgingly read the blog post by HuffPost Gay Voices' esteemed editor-at-large Michelangelo Signorile and really hated that he had a point: The Niners should not tolerate Chris Culliver's ignorant, fear-based tirade against gay athletes or the fact that Culliver's subsequent, weak-ass apology was clearly written by a mindless, clueless drone in the front office.

Huffington Post

(A simile as weak as a forced apology).

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, most people are weak and a simple apology will bring them back.

WikiHow

He said the San Francisco 49ers' defense was "weaker than a forced apology".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs like "offered", "issued" or "tossed off" to further illustrate the dismissive nature of the act.

Common error

Avoid using "weak apology" to describe a quiet or soft-spoken apology. The adjective "weak" in this context almost always refers to the rhetorical strength or the moral weight of the statement, not the physical volume of the speaker's voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak apology" serves as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "apology". Its primary grammatical function is to characterize the quality of an act of contrition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard English rules for modification and is fully usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak apology" is a highly effective tool for critiquing insincerity in both public and private discourse. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it is most often used in journalistic contexts to describe apologies that fail to meet the gravity of the situation. Whether it is a politician under pressure or a corporate entity managing a crisis, the term highlights a gap between the words spoken and the accountability taken. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, making it a reliable choice for writers who need to convey a sense of dissatisfaction with a perfunctory attempt at remorse. When using this phrase, remember that it carries a judgmental weight, suggesting that the apology was not just small, but inherently flawed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insincere apology

Directly focuses on the lack of genuine feeling rather than just the lack of impact.

half-hearted apology

Suggests a lack of effort or enthusiasm in making the amends.

feeble apology

Uses a synonym for weak that often implies a pathetic or unsuccessful attempt.

non-apology apology

Specifically refers to a statement that looks like an apology but does not actually accept blame.

perfunctory sorry

Emphasizes that the apology was done only as a routine duty without real interest.

lame apology

More informal and suggests the excuse provided is unconvincing or socially awkward.

lukewarm expression of regret

Indicates a moderate or indifferent level of contrition.

tepid remorse

Focuses on the emotional state (remorse) rather than the act of apologizing.

flimsy justification

Shifts the focus from the apology to the weak reasoning behind the original action.

paltry excuse

Emphasizes that the attempt to apologize or explain is insultingly small or poor.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "weak apology"?

You can use alternatives like "insincere apology", "half-hearted apology", or "non-apology" depending on the context.

Is "weak apology" correct to use in professional writing?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is frequently used in professional journalism to critique public statements that lack sufficient contrition.

What is the difference between a "weak apology" and a "feeble apology"?

A "feeble apology" is essentially a synonym, though "feeble" can sometimes carry a more pathetic or helpless connotation, whereas "weak" is a more general descriptor of inadequacy.

How do you use "weak apology" in a sentence?

You might write: "The CEO offered a "weak apology" that failed to address the concerns of the employees" or "Critics dismissed his statement as a "weak apology" meant only to silence the controversy."