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apologetic

[ uh-pol-uh-jet-ik ]
/ əˌpɒl əˈdʒɛt ɪk /
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See synonyms for: apologetic / apologetically 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.
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Rarely a·pol·o·get·i·cal [uh-pol-uh-jet-i-kuhl] /əˌpɒl əˈdʒɛt ɪ kəl/ .

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”; see apologia) + -tikos-tic

OTHER WORDS FROM apologetic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use apologetic in a sentence

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
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