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 unapologetic

unrepentant, remorseless, unmerciful, impenitent, unashamed, obdurate, defiant, callous, pitiless, relentless

Examples from the Web for unapologetic

Contemporary Examples of unapologetic

But the dress was its own unapologetic sonic boom—and was immediately much-copied.
Happy 20th Birthday, Liz Hurley’s Safety-Pin Dress
Tim Teeman
December 12, 2014
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told her unapologetic story last month in Elle.
Women Share Their Secret Abortion Stories For 1 in 3 Campaign
Brandy Zadrozny
November 20, 2014
After my first week on campus, I began to meet upperclassmen who were unapologetic in their denouncement of the University.
Freshman Year Sucks—and That’s OK
Eleanor Hyun
November 12, 2014
These images of schoolgirl skirts and peekaboo buttock outlines are just the most open, unapologetic manifestation of that.
In Defense of American Apparel: Why a Hitched-Up Skirt Barely Conceals a Profound Social Confusion
Tim Teeman
August 8, 2014
And a media spotlight highlighted that decision--and the unapologetic attitude accompanying it.
Chris Christie’s Faking It on Gun Rights
Olivia Nuzzi
July 10, 2014

British Dictionary definitions for unapologetic

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 unapologetic

adj.

1834, from un- (1) "not" + apologetic. Related: Unapologetically.

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).