apologetic en · ADJ
Pronunciation
Etymology
From French apologétique, from Latin apologēticus, from Ancient Greek ἀπολογητικός (apologētikós, “of or suitable for defense”), from ἀπολογέομαι (apologéomai, “to speak in defense of”); see more at English apology.
Meanings
-
Having the character of apology; regretfully excusing.
His tone was apologetic as he explained what had happened.
Very different was he, however, from the brusque and masterful professor of common sense who had taken over the case so confidently at Upper Norwood. His expression was downcast, and his bearing meek and even apologetic.
1890 February, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “A Break in the Chain”, in The Sign of Four (Standard Library), London: Spencer Blackett […], →OCLC, pages 174–175:Scott, somewhat stunned and now worried that everybody might have opened fire at the U.S. destroyers (he presumably missed Laffey and Farenholt merrily blazing away with their own guns into the darkness), ordered all firing to cease after a couple of minutes. Helena, along with Boise, was already several hundred shells lighter, and both Boise and San Francisco herself actually kept firing, as their captains were utterly sure about their targets; San Franciscos captain was very apologetic' as he overruled Admiral Scott.
2020 December 9, Drachinifel, 20:18 from the start, in Guadalcanal Campaign - Cape Esperance (IJN 1 : 2 USN), archived from the original on 04 Dec 2022:Aberdeen Joint is a fine station. Its approach is a real approach, not an apologetic side-street; its granite building has a dignity in keeping with the famous city skyline it faces, [...].
1941 January, C. Hamilton Ellis, “The Scottish Station”, in Railway Magazine, page 3:At Paisley, a station staff member politely but firmly asks why RAIL is taking so many photographs. The reply - that it's a magnificent station worthy of pictures - changes his demeanour and he's then very apologetic and says he "has to ask".
2025 March 5, “Ayr miles with a 'Spirit of Scotland'”, in RAIL, number 1030, page 43:
- (dated) Defending by words or arguments; said or written in defense.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more apologetic | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most apologetic | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| apologetick | alternative | lexicographic |
Deriveds
apologeticness · nonapologetic · apologetic proverb · pseudoapologetic · apologetically · semiapologetic · apologeticism · apologetic apostrophe · unapologetic
Relateds
apologize · apologia · apology · apologetics · apologist
Synonyms
remorseful · sorry · regretful
Translations (32)
es arrepentido (having the character of apology) · ca contrit (having the character of apology) · es disculpante (having the character of apology) · is afsakandi (having the character of apology) · id apologetis (having the character of apology) · hu apologetikus ((dated) defending by words) · de reumütig (having the character of apology) · es disculpatorio (having the character of apology) · hu bocsánatkérő (having the character of apology) · pl apologetyczny ((dated) defending by words) · cs omluvný (having the character of apology) · ja 申し訳なさそうな (having the character of apology) · id apologetis ((dated) defending by words) · ru извиня́ющийся (having the character of apology) · de apologetisch (having the character of apology) · hu védelmező ((dated) defending by words) · el απολογητικός (having the character of apology) · es apologético ((dated) defending by words) · pl skruszony (having the character of apology) · fi anteeksipyytävä (having the character of apology) · fr apologétique (having the character of apology) · es apologético (having the character of apology) · hu mentegetőző (having the character of apology) · gl contrito (having the character of apology) · grc ἀπολογητικός (having the character of apology) · gl pesaroso (having the character of apology) · no unnskyldende (having the character of apology) · de entschuldigend (having the character of apology) · pt desculpante (having the character of apology) · hu védő ((dated) defending by words) · pl przepraszający (having the character of apology) · ca apologètic ((dated) defending by words)