apologetic

Rarely a·pol·o·get·i·cal

[uh-pol-uh-jet-ik]

adjective

1. containing an apology or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc..

   An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.

2. defending by speech or writing.

3. willing or eager to apologize.

4. sorry; regretful.

apologetic

/ əˌpɒləˈdʒɛtɪk /

adjective

1. expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite

2. protecting or defending in speech or writing

Other Word Forms

• apologetically adverb
• nonapologetic adjective
• nonapologetical adjective
• nonapologetically adverb
• pseudoapologetic adjective
• pseudoapologetically adverb
• quasi-apologetic adjective
• quasi-apologetically adverb
• unapologetic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apologetic¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English apologetik “a formal defense,” from Middle French or directly from Late Latin apologēticus “written defense, defensive,” Greek apologētikós “fit for defense,” equivalent to apologē- (variant stem of apologeîsthai “to speak in defense”; apologia ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

Alexander and Beowulf gave only the briefest apologetic parting glance at Penelope, who felt utterly helpless to stop them from going with the admiral and Lord Fredrick.

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“There are definitely a couple songs on this record where I felt apologetic as I was writing it,” she says.

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After a couple minutes he came back, apologetic at abruptly leaving the conversation.

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It’s in Puerto Rico, a fact that organizers seem apologetic about.

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In addition to prosecutors detailing Combs' abuse, the court heard from several of Combs' children, some openly sobbing; defence attorneys who called him inspiring; and finally, an apologetic Combs himself.

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Related Words

• conciliatory 
• contrite 
• regretful 
• remorseful 
• repentant 
• sorry