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 One assumption of the new wave of apologias for liberalism is that, to keep attracting adherents, the stagnating ideology must be recast as a spiritual enterprise, or a personal therapy, or a grand and invigorating project. Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024 The original presentation of the first Apple Watch, prior to its hard pivot into fitness and health (and, morbidly, survival) had the tenor of an iPhone apologia. Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 29 May 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for apologia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologia
Noun
  • Critics argue the campaign lacks transparency and legal justification, and may be intended more as intimidation than interdiction.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Questions about the legality of the strikes But legal experts say the administration's justification is full of holes.
    Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Their talks are expected to cover tariffs, regional security and Japan’s defense spending, all points of tension in recent months.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Matt Baker says Florida coaches are out of excuses moving forward, Bruce Feldman breaks down the candidates to replace Napier and Chris Vannini has the pluses and minuses of the job.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Bills have draft capital to move, too, so there's really no excuse not to get something done.
    Jon Conahan, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The First Lady demanded an apology, as well, as the litigious and heavy-handed Trumps are apt to do, cash – or else.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • And we’re done accepting apologies when we should have been prioritized from the start.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To the uninitiated, this explanation might seem a little… off-kilter.
    James Factora, Them., 21 Oct. 2025
  • Aircraft, ammunition belts, bolts of fabric, mine-working, kilt-making, cement-mixing, nuns, saris and American football have all been marshaled as explanations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The best argument to count the goal?
    Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Brooks, who lives across the street from where the stabbing happened, got into an argument with the teacher before going to his home to get a knife, KUSA reported.
    Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Bomer also shared the post on Instagram, where several of his White Collar castmates questioned his alibi.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Of all the owners, Thompson was the only one who allegedly didn't have an alibi.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His most ambitious series to date, Pluribus can be seen as a corrective of sorts—a grand, artful, mind-bendingly philosophical, darkly funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but consistently humane vindication of our fractious species.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • But so far, Jones should feel major vindication for giving Schottenheimer the gig, because Schottenheimer is coaxing the best football out of quarterback Dak Prescott.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apologia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologia. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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