apologetic

[uh-pol-uh-jet-ik]

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.

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 formsa·pol·o·get·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·a·pol·o·get·ic, adjectivenon·a·pol·o·get·i·cal, adjectivenon·a·pol·o·get·i·cal·ly, adverbpseu·do·a·pol·o·get·ic, adjectivepseu·do·a·pol·o·get·i·cal·ly, adverbqua·si-a·pol·o·get·ic, adjectivequa·si-a·pol·o·get·i·cal·ly, adverbun·a·pol·o·get·ic, adjectiveun·a·pol·o·get·i·cal·ly, adverb

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

Related Words for apologetic

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

Examples from the Web for apologetic

Contemporary Examples of apologetic

If anything, he is apologetic that he is being distracted with incoming emails about it.
Dinner With James Deen During Porn’s Latest HIV Scare
Emily Shire
October 17, 2014
ROME, Italy — Roderick MacDonald has been proven to be the worst kind of pedophile there is—an apologetic serial offender.
Does a Perv Know Maddie McCann’s Fate?
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 16, 2014
I would rather have more people like the original, now apologetic tweeter than those threatening him, “defending” people like me.
How Not to Reply to a Racist Tweet
Tauriq Moosa
August 11, 2014
When she met her agents, Neubauer says, they were concerned and apologetic.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story
Jacob Siegel
March 4, 2014
Sometimes, the people around me shake their heads and sigh, giving me apologetic looks.
Flying While Sikh: Why Racial Profiling Matters
Simran Jeet Singh
November 27, 2013

Historical Examples of apologetic

"I had to draw it a bit fine," declared Langdon, with apologetic remonstrance.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
The Assistant Commissioner gave this definition in an apologetic voice.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
Wiping her eyes hurriedly, she turned to him with a pitiful, apologetic smile.
Salted With Fire
George MacDonald
"I had no lunch," said a muffled, apologetic voice from the window.
Jan and Her Job
L. Allen Harker
Old Man Curry's tone was apologetic and conciliating in the extreme.
Old Man Curry
Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan

British Dictionary definitions for apologetic

apologetic

adjective

expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite

protecting or defending in speech or writing

Derived Formsapologetically, 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

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).