apol·o·get·ic
ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tik 
1
: feeling or showing regret : regretfully acknowledging fault or failure : expressing an apology
They were apologetic about the error.
We received an apologetic letter.
an apologetic smile/tone
2
: offered in defense or vindication
the apologetic writings of the early Christians
Examples of apologetic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025
The drafts, sent back and forth between Bub and trustees, shift dramatically in tone from angry and defensive to conciliatory and apologetic to concise and professional.
—Carly Flandro, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2025
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Her voice was comforting and faintly apologetic; a murmur a person might use to inform a kitten that its illness is terminal.
—Caity Weaver, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
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Adjective
Following the producers’ warning, Rourke was apologetic.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025
The drafts, sent back and forth between Bub and trustees, shift dramatically in tone from angry and defensive to conciliatory and apologetic to concise and professional.
—Carly Flandro, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Roman Reigns, followed by an apologetic Paul Heyman.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Her voice was comforting and faintly apologetic; a murmur a person might use to inform a kitten that its illness is terminal.
—Caity Weaver, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for apologetic
Cite this Entry
“Apologetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologetic. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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