apologia

noun

Definition of apologianext
as in justification

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun apologia contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of apologia are alibi, apology, excuse, plea, and pretext. While all these words mean "matter offered in explanation or defense," apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position.

his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy

When could alibi be used to replace apologia?

The meanings of alibi and apologia largely overlap; however, alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation.

his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Where would apology be a reasonable alternative to apologia?

Although the words apology and apologia have much in common, apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances.

said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could

When would excuse be a good substitute for apologia?

The words excuse and apologia are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure.

used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting

In what contexts can plea take the place of apologia?

The synonyms plea and apologia are sometimes interchangeable, but plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy.

her usual plea that she was nearsighted

When might pretext be a better fit than apologia?

In some situations, the words pretext and apologia are roughly equivalent. However, pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation.

used any pretext to get out of work

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of apologia Not everyone, of course, has had that life experience; some might see this show as an apologia for the already indulged. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 28 Mar. 2024 Frum’s apologia is so riddled with errors of commission, omission, perspective, and internal inconsistency that his heart hardly even seems to be in it. —Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 6 Feb. 2024 An apologia writ in hair about what happens when a muscular intellect is married to frail corporate governance. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023 The play at other times feels like the dramatist’s guilty apologia for leaving Kyiv when her mother refuses to budge. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for apologia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologia
  1. justification
  2. defense
  3. excuse
  4. apology
  5. explanation
  6. argument
  7. alibi
  8. vindication
Noun
  • What are the present political implications of trying to empathize with Germans under the Nazi regime, to better understand their own justifications for their crimes?
    — Joseph Bernstein, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • This administration might use a domestic crisis as even more justification to bypass legislative and judicial oversight.
    — Jane Harman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of justification
Noun
  • And they’re being embedded into everything from CRM platforms to national defense strategies.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • In the guilt-innocence phase, the jury deliberated for about four hours and for about 90 minutes in the punishment phase, according to defense attorney Wiggins.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of defense
Noun
  • Ignorance Ignorance is never an excuse for poor governance.
    — Committee of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The injury crisis became a convenient excuse for a team already playing quite badly.
    — The View from the Lane, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • The opposition Democratic Party slammed Yoon on Monday as delusional for not making any sincere apology.
    — Joyce Lee, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Times' then-editorial page editor, James Bennet, who had inserted the incorrect claims into the passage, wrote an apology that was posted to the opinion section's social media account.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of apology
Noun
  • Entertainment Fans of the show on social media seem to be missing a lot of crucial character development, and there’s an obvious explanation why.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • When doing so, there are three crucial elements: (1) logic extraction, (2) deriving the solution using propositions, and (3) generating an explanation in plain language.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of explanation
Noun
  • Combs’ defense team made arguments for delaying the trial up to two months, but the judge was not swayed.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Gregory, who became known as Gregory the Great, had reasons to advance such an argument.
    — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of argument
Noun
  • But Kappen’s wife gave an alibi for him at the time, the BBC reported, drawing investigators off his trail.
    — Sean Neumann, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Based on Knox’s statements, Lumumba was brought in for questioning, despite having an ironclad alibi.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of alibi
Noun
  • But Wu will take the ruling as vindication – yet another win for her in a series of high profile victories for her administration and campaign over the last few weeks.
    — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The mother's lawyer, Ronald Hayley, tells PEOPLE that the decision to charge Gilpin is vindication for his client.
    — Chris Spargo, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of vindication

Browse Nearby Words

apologetic
apologia
apologiae
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apologia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologia. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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