apologetic

adjective apol·o·get·ic \ ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tik \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of apologetic

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

\-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See apologetic defined for English-language learners

See apologetic defined for kids

Recent Examples of apologetic from the Web

The ride-hail company is in the midst of a PR glow-up, eight months after dumping former controversial CEO Travis Kalanick in favor of the ultra-apologetic Dara Khosrowshahi.

— aarian marshall, WIRED, "Uber Makes Peace With Cities by Spilling Its Secrets," 16 Apr. 2018
In the rewriting of history, King has been fashioned into an apologetic freedom fighter who carefully sidestepped white ire while pointing out inequality.

— michael harriot, The Root, "From Most Hated to American Hero: The Whitewashing of Martin Luther King Jr.," 4 Apr. 2018
The aftermath has been a rough several days for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who posted an apologetic note on his site and also appeared in interviews trying to soften the criticism.

— marco santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "SpaceX's Facebook page apparently deleted to support #deletefacebook," 23 Mar. 2018
The official was apologetic, but said CPS couldn't be held responsible for the rest.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Archive Dive / Arts / Education / Visual Art The case of the missing Keith Haring mural," 23 Mar. 2018
Police say the boy is apologetic and is cooperating, but he will be charged with possession of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone.

— cliff pinckard, cleveland.com, "Ohio boy, 8, takes gun to school, says he feared classmate," 21 Feb. 2018
Many Western elites are apologetic over past sins of imperialism and colonialism.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Rethinking the Geography of Power," 1 Feb. 2018
The baby looks surprised but not terribly apologetic.

— erin ashenhurst, Slate Magazine, "Play Date With the Lost Generation," 9 June 2017
This is most evident when the discussion turns to his flaws, about which Chernow is characteristically apologetic.

— alex shephard, New Republic, "Ron Chernow’s Grant Is Popular History at its Best," 18 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apologetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of apologetic

Greek apologētikos, from apologeisthai to defend, from apo- + logos speech

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1649

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

apologetic Synonyms

apologetic

noun

Definition of apologetic

: apologetics 1

Recent Examples of apologetic from the Web

Aspiring pastoral candidates were inspired by his capacity to teach systematic theology and apologetics, the defense of the Christian faith.

— russell pulliam, Washington Post, "Theologian R.C. Sproul, who influenced evangelical beliefs about the Bible, dies at 78," 15 Dec. 2017
Outlets such as the Washington Post and CNN published fawning apologetics and romanticized profiles of the far left’s vigilante thugs.

— david french, National Review, "Antifa Just Showed Its True Colors. Again.," 28 Aug. 2017
Many of its students are pastors who want to get more education in Christian apologetics, or defending the faith using history, reason, evidence and philosophy.

— tim funk, charlotteobserver, "With more students streaming classes online, school plans to sell campus and find smaller facility," 29 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of apologetic

see ¹apologetic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

APOLOGETIC Defined for English Language Learners

apologetic

adjective

Definition of apologetic for English Language Learners

: feeling or showing regret : expressing an apology

APOLOGETIC Defined for Kids

apologetic

adjective apol·o·get·ic \ ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tik \

Definition of apologetic for Students

: sorry for having done or said something wrong

They were apologetic about their rude behavior.

—

apologetically

\-ti-kə-lē\ adverb

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See words that rhyme with apologetic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for apologetic Spanish Central: Translation of apologetic Nglish: Translation of apologetic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apologetic for Arabic speakers

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