apologetic

[ uh-pol-uh-jet-ik ]
/ əˌpɒl əˈdʒɛt ɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR apologetic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

containing an apology or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc.: An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.
defending by speech or writing.
willing or eager to apologize.
sorry; regretful.

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to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
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to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
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Also a·pol·o·get·i·cal .

Origin of apologetic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM apologetic

Words nearby apologetic

Apollonius Dyscolus, Apollonius of Perga, Apollonius of Rhodes, Apollo program, Apollyon, apologetic, apologetics, apologia, Apologia pro Vita Sua, apologist, apologize
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to apologetic

regretful, conciliatory, repentant, contrite, sorry, remorseful, compunctious, expiatory, explanatory, penitent, penitential, rueful, self-effacing, atoning, attritional, propitiatory, self-incriminating, supplicating, on one's knees

Example sentences from the Web for apologetic

British Dictionary definitions for apologetic

apologetic
/ (əˌpɒləˈdʒɛtɪk) /

adjective

expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite
protecting or defending in speech or writing

Derived forms of apologetic

apologetically, adverb
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