apologetics
noun
apol·o·get·ics
ə-ˌpä-lə-ˈje-tiks 
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: systematic argumentative discourse (see discourse entry 1 sense 2a) in defense (as of a doctrine)
2
: a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity
Examples of apologetics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because the word apologetics equally means a doctrine.
—
Craig Lindsey, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
So anyway, reading McLeroy's apologetics in the op-ed is astounding.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2011
All of these apologetics carry with them the implication that God doesn't really care that much about us down here on Earth.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2012
Rather than recognizing that anti-Semitism has a life of its own—a history, ways of obfuscating and a set of apologetics for those who subscribe to its conspiracy theories—Jew-hatred is subsumed into a much fuzzier category.
—WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
With a master of arts in Christian apologetics from Biola University's Talbot School of Theology, Karamo describes herself as a Christian apologist on her LinkedIn page.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2022
Those remarks echoed a previous bout of Putin apologetics by Berlusconi last month on one of the country’s most prominent political talk shows.
—Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Oct. 2022
The institute offers courses, lessons, and guidance on Catholic apologetics and evangelization.
—Fox News, 28 Aug. 2022
Stronger evidence of bad-faith, bad-history apologetics could hardly be imagined.
—James Oakes, The New York Review of Books, 12 May 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Craig Lindsey, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
So anyway, reading McLeroy's apologetics in the op-ed is astounding.
—Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2011
All of these apologetics carry with them the implication that God doesn't really care that much about us down here on Earth.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2012
Rather than recognizing that anti-Semitism has a life of its own—a history, ways of obfuscating and a set of apologetics for those who subscribe to its conspiracy theories—Jew-hatred is subsumed into a much fuzzier category.
—WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
With a master of arts in Christian apologetics from Biola University's Talbot School of Theology, Karamo describes herself as a Christian apologist on her LinkedIn page.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2022
Those remarks echoed a previous bout of Putin apologetics by Berlusconi last month on one of the country’s most prominent political talk shows.
—Jason Horowitz, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Oct. 2022
The institute offers courses, lessons, and guidance on Catholic apologetics and evangelization.
—Fox News, 28 Aug. 2022
Stronger evidence of bad-faith, bad-history apologetics could hardly be imagined.
—James Oakes, The New York Review of Books, 12 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Apologetics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apologetics. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share