abject apology acknowledgment admission advocating advocation alibi amends apologetic apologetics apologia apologies argument argumentation atonement attrition ayenbite of inwit bicker bickering bitterness blind breast-beating casuistry championing change of heart cloak color concession confession contention contriteness contrition controversy cover cover story cover-up deathbed repentance defense device disputation dispute espousal excuse extenuation facade feint flyting front gloss grief guise handle hassle heartfelt apology hubbub justification lame excuse litigation locus standi logomachy mask mea culpa ostensible motive palliation paper war passage of arms penance penitence polemic polemics poor excuse pretense pretension pretext protestation public motive put-off redress reformation refuge regret regretfulness regrets regretting remorse remorse of conscience remorsefulness reparation repentance repining rhubarb saeta satisfaction screen semblance set-to sham shame shamefacedness shamefastness shamefulness show smoke screen sorriness sorrow stalking-horse stratagem subterfuge support trick varnish veil verbal engagement war of words wearing a hairshirt wistfulness wrangling