apologetic

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

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

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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

When our short rib entrée fell apart in the kitchen, Marano visited our table with an apologetic explanation for the delay then delivered the new-and-improved version later himself.

— by jodi mailander farrell, miamiherald, "Spunky Ella’s adds oysters to growing Little Havana mix," 9 Aug. 2017
Whispering to the Soviets that Nixon was, in Augustus fashion, railing nocturnally in the White House halls was effective; but Nixon’s shoving an apologetic press secretary Ron Ziegler, for all to see on TV, was a counterproductive tantrum.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Trump — And the Use and Abuse of Madness," 1 Aug. 2017
Andrews, representing San Francisco, was apologetic afterward, and complemented Lopez Lomong, the two-time Olympian pacing the race.

— ken goe, OregonLive.com, "Surprise, Ben Blankenship wins the 1,500 at the TrackTown Summer Series meet," 2 July 2017
Hopkins didn’t sound particularly apologetic about possibly costing that woman years of her life for having Hannibal Lecter himself sneak up behind her.

— melissa locker, Time, "Anthony Hopkins Scared the Fava Beans Out of Fans Watching Silence of the Lambs," 23 June 2017
Schiff was particularly apologetic for calling Justice Kennedy a prostitute.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "There's a Lot Going on Right Now, But Keep an Eye on the Courts," 14 June 2017
On this June afternoon, Somi arrives at Silvana breathless and apologetic.

— maiysha kai, The Root, "An African in New York: Jazz Singer Somi’s Petite Afrique," 14 June 2017
Pressed by the committee’s chairman, Senator Richard Burr, Sessions seemed apologetic about his memory.

— tina nguyen, The Hive, "Does Jeff Sessions Have a Memory Problem?," 13 June 2017
The mother told police the school representatives were apologetic.

— amanda harris, charlotteobserver, "Rock Hill elementary student, 7, locked in school bus; driver suspended," 2 June 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

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First Known Use: 1649

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apologetic Synonyms

Synonyms

contrite, compunctious, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry

Antonyms

impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant

Related Words

ashamed, shamefaced, sheepish; dolorous, grieving, lugubrious, mournful, plaintive, sorrowful, wailing, weeping, woeful

Near Antonyms

compassionless, cruel, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, unmerciful; shameless, unashamed

apologetic

noun

Definition of apologetic

:apologetics 1

Examples of apologetic in a Sentence

We received an apologetic letter and a full refund from the company.
They were apologetic about the mistake.
She seemed almost apologetic about buying a new car.

Recent Examples of apologetic from the Web

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

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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

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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.

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apologetically

\-ti-kə-lē\ adverb

Learn More about apologetic

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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Origin and Etymology of apologetic

apologetic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Near Antonyms

apologetic

Definition of apologetic

Examples of apologetic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of apologetic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of apologetic

APOLOGETIC Defined for English Language Learners

apologetic

Definition of apologetic for English Language Learners

APOLOGETIC Defined for Kids

apologetic

Definition of apologetic for Students

apologetically

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