apologetic
apologetic Lexical Profile
apologetic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Expressing or showing regretful acknowledgment for an offense, failure, or fault.
"She gave an apologetic smile after accidentally bumping into the waiter."
Offered in formal defense or vindication of a belief, doctrine, or course of action.
"The theologian published an apologetic treatise defending the historical foundations of the early church."
• noun
A formal argument, speech, or written work offered in defense or justification of a belief, theory, or institution.
"His essay served as a passionate apologetic for the preservation of classical humanities in higher education."
Word Nuance & Usage
In everyday use, 'apologetic' means expressing regret or saying sorry, whereas in theology and formal rhetoric it retains its original Greek meaning of offering a reasoned defense or justification without admitting fault.
• Rhymes for apologetic
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from French apologétique, via Late Latin apologeticus, from Ancient Greek apologētikos ('defensible, suited for defense'), derived from apologeisthai ('to speak in one's defense').