adj · noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/əˌpɒləˈdʒɛtɪk/
US:/əˌpɑləˈd͡ʒɛtɪk/
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:AH0 P AA2 L AH0 JH EH1 T IH0 K
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Having the character of apology; regretfully excusing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
His tone was apologetic as he explained what had happened.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sorry, remorseful, regretful
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Defending by words or arguments; said or written in defense.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A formal apology.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, countable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A defensive method of argument.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, plural, uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective
Meaning 5
offering or expressing apology
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
an apologetic note
an apologetic manner
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: excusatory
Antonyms: unapologetic
History
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.
Across languages
Translations
32 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Catalan:
contrit
— having the character of apology
Czech:
omluvný
— having the character of apology
Finnish:
anteeksipyytävä
— having the character of apology
French:
apologétique
— having the character of apology
Galician:
pesaroso
— having the character of apology
Galician:
contrito
— having the character of apology
German:
entschuldigend
— having the character of apology
German:
apologetisch
— having the character of apology
German:
reumütig
— having the character of apology
Greek:
απολογητικός
(apologitikós)
— having the character of apology
Ancient Greek:
ἀπολογητικός
(apologētikós)
— having the character of apology
Hungarian:
bocsánatkérő
— having the character of apology
Hungarian:
mentegetőző
— having the character of apology
Icelandic:
afsakandi
— having the character of apology
Indonesian:
apologetis
— having the character of apology
Japanese:
申し訳なさそうな
(mōshiwake nasasō na)
— having the character of apology
Norwegian:
unnskyldende
— having the character of apology
Polish:
przepraszający
— having the character of apology
Polish:
skruszony
— having the character of apology
Portuguese:
desculpante
— having the character of apology
Russian:
извиня́ющийся
(izvinjájuščijsja)
— having the character of apology
Spanish:
disculpatorio
— having the character of apology
Spanish:
disculpante
— having the character of apology
Spanish:
arrepentido
— having the character of apology
Spanish:
apologético
— having the character of apology
Catalan:
apologètic
— (dated) defending by words
Hungarian:
apologetikus
— (dated) defending by words
Hungarian:
védelmező
— (dated) defending by words
Hungarian:
védő
— (dated) defending by words
Indonesian:
apologetis
— (dated) defending by words
Polish:
apologetyczny
— (dated) defending by words
