apologia

American  

[ap-uh-loh-jee-uh] / ˌæp əˈloʊ dʒi ə /

noun

1. an apology, as in defense or justification of a belief, idea, etc.

2. Literature. a work written as an explanation or justification of one's motives, convictions, or acts.

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apologia British  

/ ˌæpəˈləʊdʒɪə /

noun

1. a formal written defence of a cause or one's beliefs or conduct

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Etymology

Origin of apologia

1775–85; < Late Latin < Greek: a speaking in defense. See apo-, log-, -ia

Example Sentences

Whether we are meant to believe or dismiss this apologia for the chivalry of the Old South is debatable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

An apologia writ in hair about what happens when a muscular intellect is married to frail corporate governance.

From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2023

This isn’t meant to be gym shorts apologia.

From Slate • Sep. 22, 2023

All this might have made “The Eternal Daughter” play like a dubious exercise in self-doubt, an apologia for its own existence.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Such bereavement, witnessed at close range, makes even the most eloquent apologia for high-risk activities ring fatuous and hollow.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer