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Definition of "apologetic" []

  • Offering or expressing an apology or excuse: an apologetic note; an apologetic smile. (adjective)
  • Self-deprecating; humble: an apologetic manner. (adjective)
  • Serving as or containing a formal justification or defense: an apologetic treatise on church doctrine. (adjective)
  • A formal defense or apology. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "apologetic" in a sentence
  • "He got up, his expression apologetic, and fumbled for change in his pocket, throwing down much more than our two coffees cost."
  • "There's no reason for Pyongyang to be taking what I call apologetic position they're taking, agreeing to go back to the six-party talks, agreeing that there will be no more tests."
  • ""I'm sick ... my stomach," he explained in apologetic tones to the passenger who sat next to him."