apologetic
[uh-pol-uh-jet-ik]
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Also a·pol·o·get·i·cal.
Origin of apologetic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for apologetic
Contemporary Examples
If anything, he is apologetic that he is being distracted with incoming emails about it.
ROME, Italy — Roderick MacDonald has been proven to be the worst kind of pedophile there is—an apologetic serial offender.
I would rather have more people like the original, now apologetic tweeter than those threatening him, “defending” people like me.
When she met her agents, Neubauer says, they were concerned and apologetic.
Sometimes, the people around me shake their heads and sigh, giving me apologetic looks.
Historical Examples
"I had to draw it a bit fine," declared Langdon, with apologetic remonstrance.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
The Assistant Commissioner gave this definition in an apologetic voice.
The Secret AgentJoseph Conrad
Wiping her eyes hurriedly, she turned to him with a pitiful, apologetic smile.
Salted With FireGeorge MacDonald
"I had no lunch," said a muffled, apologetic voice from the window.
Jan and Her JobL. Allen Harker
Old Man Curry's tone was apologetic and conciliating in the extreme.
Old Man CurryCharles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
apologetic
- expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite
- protecting or defending in speech or writing
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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
Word Origin and History for apologetic
adj.
1640s, "vindicatory," from French apologétique, from Latin apologeticus, from Greek apologetikos "defensible," from apologeisthai (see apology). Meaning "regretfully acknowledging failure" is from 1855. As a noun, "formal defense," from early 15c. Related: Apologetics (c.1753).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper