Definition
Expressing regret or making excuses for something, or alternatively, offering a reasoned defense of a position or belief system. In academic contexts, it often refers to defensive arguments supporting particular viewpoints.
Etymology
From Greek 'apologetikos,' meaning 'suitable for defense,' from 'apologia' meaning 'speech in defense.' Originally used in religious contexts to defend Christian doctrine, it evolved to describe any defensive explanation or expression of regret.
Kelly Says
Apologetic has this fascinating double life - it can mean either 'sorry' or 'not sorry at all, and here's why I'm right.' This dual meaning reflects the tension between humility and conviction that runs through much academic and intellectual discourse, where you need to defend your ideas while acknowledging their limitations.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
እንደራሴ ማረጋጋ
en-deh-rah-seh mah-reh-gah-gah
ARالعربية
معتذر
mu-tah-zir
BNবাংলা
অনুতপ্ত
ah-noo-tahp-tah
CACatalà
apologeta
ah-poh-loh-HEH-tah
CSČeština
apologetický
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tch-ee-ky
DADansk
apologetisk
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tisk
DEDeutsch
apologetisch
ah-poh-loh-geh-TEE-sh
ELΕλληνικά
απολογητικός
ah-poh-loh-yee-tee-kohs
ESEspañol
apologeta
ah-poh-loh-HEH-tah
FAفارسی
پوزشآور
poozesh-ah-vor
FISuomi
apologetinen
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tee-neh
FRFrançais
apologétique
ah-poh-loh-zheh-TEEK
GUGU
ક્ષમાપણા
kshama-paNa
HAHA
matsayin tsafi
mah-tsah-yin tsah-fee
HEעברית
מתנצל
mit-nah-tzel
HIहिन्दी
क्षमाप्रार्थी
kshama-praarthi
HUMagyar
apologetikus
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tee-kush
IDBahasa Indonesia
apologetik
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tik
IGIG
onye nwere mmasị
oh-nyeh n-weh mmah-see
ITItaliano
apologetico
ah-poh-loh-zeh-TEE-koh
KKKK
апологетикалық
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tah-lyk
MRMR
क्षमाप्रार्थी
kshama-praarthi
MSBahasa Melayu
apologetik
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tik
MYမြန်မာ
တောင်းပန်
tawng-pahn
NLNederlands
apologetisch
ah-poh-loh-geh-TEE-sh
NONorsk
apologetisk
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tisk
PLPolski
apologetyczny
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tch-ny
PTPortuguês
apologético
ah-poh-loh-zeh-TEE-koh
RORomână
apologetic
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tik
RUРусский
апологетический
ah-poh-loh-geh-TEE-chees-ky
SVSvenska
apologetisk
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tisk
SWKiswahili
msamehe
m-sah-meh-eh
TAதமிழ்
மன்னிப்பு
mannippu
TEతెలుగు
క్షమాపణ
kshama-paNa
TRTürkçe
apolojetik
ah-poh-loh-zheh-tik
UKУкраїнська
апологетичний
ah-poh-loh-geh-TEE-chy-ni
URاردو
معذرت خواہ
mu-az-rah-t khwah
VITiếng Việt
xin lỗi
sin lo-ee
YOYO
àgbéyẹ̀wọ̀
ahg-beh-yeh-woh
ZUZU
ngiyaxolisa
n-gee-yah-koh-lee-sah
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Women are socialized to apologize excessively for minor or non-offenses (taking up space, disagreeing, existing). This linguistic pattern reinforces power asymmetries where women's assertion is coded as rudeness.
Inclusive Usage
Use when genuine responsibility exists. Be alert to gendered over-apologizing. Replace habitual apologies with direct statements of fact or intent.
Inclusive Alternatives
["regretful","clarifying","correcting","adjusting course"]
Empowerment Note
Women in professional contexts frequently overuse apologetic framing; recognizing and redirecting this pattern supports clearer advocacy and authority.