apologetics

[ uh-pol-uh-jet-iks ]
See synonyms for apologetics on Thesaurus.com
noun(used with a singular or plural verb)
  1. the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity using rational argument:In the face of evidence-based objections from the scientific community, creation apologetics has had to evolve to survive.

  2. reasoning in defense of any theory or doctrine, typically drawing on a set of established responses to specific criticisms:Capitalist apologetics often claim, quite convincingly, that unrestricted market competition safeguards democracy.

Origin of apologetics

1
First recorded in 1725–35; see origin at apologetic, -ics

Words Nearby apologetics

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use apologetics in a sentence

  • At one bound Cossington's papers passed from apologetics varied by repudiation to triumphant praise.

    The New Machiavelli | Herbert George Wells
  • Christianity, once an aggressive and virile movement, now resorts to apologetics, compromise and concession to prolong her life.

    Morality Without God | M. M. Mangasarian
  • But that is not an unusual feature of Christian apologetics.

  • He perceived it was a hard and invincible malevolence, and that no petty apologetics of demeanour could avail against it.

    The Sea Lady | Herbert George Wells
  • In like fashion, historic rationalism has often tended to use Reason as an agency of justification and apologetics.

British Dictionary definitions for apologetics

apologetics

/ (əˌpɒləˈdʒɛtɪks) /


noun(functioning as singular)
  1. the branch of theology concerned with the defence and rational justification of Christianity

  2. a defensive method of argument

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012