apologetic

1 of 2

adjective

apol·​o·​get·​ic ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tik How to pronounce apologetic (audio)
1
: feeling or showing regret : regretfully acknowledging fault or failure : expressing an apology
They were apologetic about the error.
We received an apologetic letter.
an apologetic smile/tone
2
: offered in defense or vindication
the apologetic writings of the early Christians
apologetically adverb

apologetic

2 of 2

noun

Examples of apologetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The Substance actress gave Douglas a few apologetic pets before taking Pilaf and sitting down on the other side of the couch. EW.com, 23 Sep. 2024 Christine Baranski accidentally stepped on another attendee’s train on the red carpet and looked shocked — and was immediately apologetic. Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2024
Noun
For the climactic moment when Harold and Kumar finally make it to White Castle (and an apologetic Harris pays for their burgers), the production design team had to get creative. Mara Reinstein, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2024 Soon after, what would normally be a postgame handshake between head coaches became a testy scene in which Falcons coach Arthur Smith could be seen angrily asking an apologetic Allen for an explanation. Brett Martel, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apologetic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apologetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Late Latin apologēticus "defensive, justifying," borrowed from Greek apologētikós "suitable for defence, offered in defense," from apologē-, variant stem of apologéomai, apologeîsthai "to speak in defense, defend oneself, be an advocate for" (Late Greek, "be an advocate for the Christian faith") (from apo- apo- + -logeomai, -logeisthai, verbal derivative of lógos "word, speech, argument") + -t-, verbal adjective formative + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at legend

Noun

Middle English apologetik, borrowed from Medieval Latin apologēticus or apologēticum, noun derivatives from masculine and neuter of Late Latin apologēticus "defensive, justifying" — more at apologetic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of apologetic was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near apologetic

Cite this Entry

“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologetic. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

apologetic

adjective
apol·​o·​get·​ic
ə-ˌpäl-ə-ˈjet-ik
1
: offered by way of apology
an apologetic smile
2
: sorry for some fault or failure
apologetically
-ˈjet-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on apologetic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!