nonapologies

Nonapologies are statements that resemble apologies but fail to acknowledge responsibility or the harm caused. They often express regret about a situation or others' feelings rather than about the speaker's own actions, and may rely on conditional language that deflects accountability. They are widely considered not to meet the criteria of a sincere apology.

Common forms include hedged phrases such as "if I've offended anyone," or "I'm sorry you were offended," which shift blame away from the speaker. Other variants say "I regret the misunderstanding," or "That was not my intention," focusing on impact or intent rather than fault.

In public discourse, nonapologies are described as a rhetorical device used to placate critics without admitting fault. They appear in politics, corporate statements, and celebrity responses, sometimes protecting reputations or avoiding legal or financial consequences while preserving the speaker's stance.

Critics say nonapologies undermine accountability and empathy and may invite repeated harm. Proponents argue they acknowledge concern without conceding liability. Evaluating a nonapology involves looking for genuine responsibility, stated remedies, and concrete actions taken to address the underlying issue.