apologetics

[ uh-pol-uh-jet-iks ]

/ əˌpɒl əˈdʒɛt ɪks /

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See synonyms for apologetics on Thesaurus.com

noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity using rational argument:In the face of evidence-based objections from the scientific community, creation apologetics has had to evolve to survive.

reasoning in defense of any theory or doctrine, typically drawing on a set of established responses to specific criticisms:Capitalist apologetics often claim, quite convincingly, that unrestricted market competition safeguards democracy.

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Origin of apologetics

First recorded in 1725–35; see origin at apologetic, -ics

Words nearby apologetics

Apollonius of Perga, Apollonius of Rhodes, Apollo program, Apollyon, apologetic, apologetics, apologia, Apologia pro Vita Sua, apologist, apologize, apologue

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

How to use apologetics in a sentence

I know that some of you are going to call this Obama apologetics, but you know what?
The NSA Program and the Law|Michael Tomasky|June 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I'm not so worried that the oligarchs will pay for apologetics on their behalf.
All Good Things...|David Frum|June 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And Obama has worked to push American foreign policy beyond Carterite apologetics or Bushesque saber-rattling.
Carter Is Worse Than Clint|Gil Troy|September 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Michael Moynihan eviscerates the left-wing apologetics that appear in popular travel guides.
The Lonely Planet Guide to Dictators and Despots|Noah Kristula-Green|August 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST

And that was before Pat Buchanan's later venture into explicit apologetics for Hitler in his World War II books.
Answering Your Questions|David Frum|March 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At one bound Cossington's papers passed from apologetics varied by repudiation to triumphant praise.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
Christianity, once an aggressive and virile movement, now resorts to apologetics, compromise and concession to prolong her life.
Morality Without God|M. M. Mangasarian
But that is not an unusual feature of Christian apologetics.
The Churches and Modern Thought|Philip Vivian
He perceived it was a hard and invincible malevolence, and that no petty apologetics of demeanour could avail against it.
The Sea Lady|Herbert George Wells
In like fashion, historic rationalism has often tended to use Reason as an agency of justification and apologetics.
Reconstruction in Philosophy|John Dewey

British Dictionary definitions for apologetics

apologetics

/ (əˌpɒləˈdʒɛtɪks) /

noun (functioning as singular)

the branch of theology concerned with the defence and rational justification of Christianity

a defensive method of argument

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

apologetics

Origin of apologetics

Words nearby apologetics

Words related to apologetics

How to use apologetics in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for apologetics