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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Will has so much defensiveness, but Caleb has a sort of an apologetic sense about him. Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025 The four-time major winner was suitably apologetic and empathetic to Musetti’s plight. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
Augustine’s work was one of ‘apologetics’ in the proper sense of the word – a defence of Christian virtue and a public confession of Christian faith as the basis for the true society: for the good, for justice, and true lasting peace. Anna Rowlands, Time, 12 May 2025 Roman Reigns, followed by an apologetic Paul Heyman. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apologetic

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologetic. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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!