apologia

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun apologia contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of apologia are alibi, apology, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When could alibi be used to replace apologia?

The meanings of alibi and apologia largely overlap; however, alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Where would apology be a reasonable alternative to apologia?

Although the words apology and apologia have much in common, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

When would excuse be a good substitute for apologia?

The words excuse and apologia are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

In what contexts can plea take the place of apologia?

The synonyms plea and apologia are sometimes interchangeable, but plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

When might pretext be a better fit than apologia?

In some situations, the words pretext and apologia are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of apologia Not everyone, of course, has had that life experience; some might see this show as an apologia for the already indulged. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2024 Frum’s apologia is so riddled with errors of commission, omission, perspective, and internal inconsistency that his heart hardly even seems to be in it. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 An apologia writ in hair about what happens when a muscular intellect is married to frail corporate governance. Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023 The play at other times feels like the dramatist’s guilty apologia for leaving Kyiv when her mother refuses to budge. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for apologia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologia
Noun
  • And still others, eyes already on 2028, are quietly offering up preemptive justifications before the blame begins to settle.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
  • Trump’s firing of Perlmutter — which the White House has yet to comment on or give its justification for — thus removed a key bulwark for content companies.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Progress on the bill stalled after ultraconservative members of the House Freedom Caucus demanded further changes, including tax cuts, sweeping changes to Medicaid and food benefits, border security, defense funding and more.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Paris’ defense attorney Donna Rutunno said Walowski had done the right thing and remarked that the case belonged in civil court rather than criminal proceedings.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Construct decision boundaries that eliminate excuses.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Hansi Flick has told his Barcelona players that partying after their La Liga title celebrations is no excuse for letting their performances drop.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Some Seneca members, however, noted that an apology means little without meaningful action.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
  • The owner of a San Diego café issued a public apology after at least 98 people got sick, including nine who were hospitalized, according to local reports.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • In the absence of an official explanation, theories have filled the void in a case that has spurred true crime podcasts and plenty of speculation, including the suggestion Kohberger was trying to impress an old professor by getting away with murder.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Betty doesn’t volunteer an explanation and Laura doesn’t ask.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Megan, born Megan Pete, claimed that Lanez shot her in the foot after an argument broke out in her car between friend Kelsey Nicole, Lanez, and Lanez's bodyguard following an evening at Kylie Jenner's house on July 12, 2020.
    EW.com, EW.com, 13 May 2025
  • Such an argument does not figure to spare deportation for those nabbed by federal immigration agents.
    Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The judge has determined that an alibi instruction to the jury will not be given at the end of trial, unless the defendant can bring to the court more substantial evidence of an actual alibi.
    Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
  • His alibi, however, is rock solid thanks to Stephanie now living with him and taking care of his son.
    Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The inclusion of Coinbase is viewed as a vindication by crypto faithfuls who helped President Donald Trump win the election in November.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
  • The British government will see a deal as a vindication of Starmer’s emollient approach to Trump, which has avoided direct confrontation or criticism.
    Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apologia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologia. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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