definitions

apologetic

[ uh-pol-uh-jet-ik ]
/ əˌpɒl əˈdʒɛt ɪk /
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SEE MORE 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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RELATED WORDS

regretful, conciliatory, repentant, contrite, sorry, remorseful, compunctious, expiatory, explanatory, penitent, penitential, rueful, self-effacing, attritional, propitiatory, self-incriminating

Nearby words

apollonian, apollonius dyscolus, apollonius of perga, apollonius of rhodes, apollyon, apologetic, apologetics, apologia, apologia pro vita sua, apologist, apologize
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

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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

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