apologetic
Americanadjective
-
expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite
-
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
Etymology
Origin of apologetic
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cynthia, who in her 20s entered a marriage that any actuarial table would have advised strongly against, is almost apologetic for finding herself wed to Warren.
But once she was able to figure out what was going on with her mental health, she picked up therapy, found the right medication and learned how to persevere through “apologetic, accountable and uncomfortable conversations.”
From Los Angeles Times
An apologetic Safdie demonstrated winding out wide and pounding down, the champ mastered the new skill by the sixth take, and the director lived to fight another day.
From Los Angeles Times
At times, he had appeared apologetic after an incident and was said to have told one female staff member he "can't help myself".
From BBC
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.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
