apologetic

1 of 2

adjective

apol·​o·​get·​ic ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tik 

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

ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

apologetic

2 of 2

noun

: apologetics sense 1

Synonyms

Adjective

• sorry
• ashamed
• remorseful
• regretful
• contrite
• repentant

Examples of apologetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Saira’s overly apologetic personality renders her insufferable for most around her, but not Willow (Gemma Chua-Tran), a musically inclined, goth, non-binary person. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 8 July 2025

Your tone should be matter-of-fact and confident, not apologetic. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Noun

Backstage, Jelly Roll told an apologetic Randy Orton that Jelly Roll was a grown man. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025

Augustine’s numerous works cover mostly theology, philosophy, biblical exegesis, apologetics, and pastoral matters. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

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

Rhymes for apologetic

• aeromagnetic
• antiemetic
• antipathetic
• biogenetic
• biomimetic
• biosynthetic
• cytogenetic
• diagenetic
• diamagnetic
• diaphoretic
• epigenetic
• ferromagnetic

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