apologetic

[uh-pol-uh-jet-ik]

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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 apologetically

meanly, obscurely, poorly, simply, abjectly, submissively

Examples from the Web for apologetically

Contemporary Examples of apologetically

“We lead a life of glimpses & glances,” Emerson apologetically wrote of their time in his house.
Why Do Women Love Bad Men? A New Life of Margaret Fuller
Susan Cheever
March 22, 2013
It was, he said apologetically, one of 22 evictions he had to carry out that day.
Hidden Victims of Eviction
Sasha Abramsky
February 9, 2010

Historical Examples of apologetically

"That's what they got over the telephone," said Scottie apologetically.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
"I thought I'd come back and tell you," said Bob Lewis, apologetically.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
"I kinda fergot it wasn't nothin' but a pitcher," he stammered, apologetically.
Chip, of the Flying U
B. M. Bower
"I'll just lay all this gorgeousness aside," said he apologetically.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White
"It's too hot to do much of anything," he said apologetically.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower

British Dictionary definitions for apologetically

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 apologetically

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).