apologia

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 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 In a post-truth world, pugilists and zealots dismiss such scholarly arguments as apologia for Muslim violence or as a weak case for pluralism that divests Hindus of their rights as the majority. Supriya Gandhi, Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2020 See All Example Sentences for apologia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apologia
Noun
  • The passing reference to transgender men in the original grant application appears to be the sole justification for its cancellation.
    Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Take the issue of emissions – the main justification for the pause.
    Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • More than 100 Israeli filmmakers, including some prominent names, signed a letter in defense of the film.
    Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The stopgap measure would increase defense spending, along with additional funding for veterans' health care, while decreasing non-defense spending below 2024 levels.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At least juveniles have an excuse: The human brain isn’t fully developed until age 25.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Canada and China have both questioned the Trump administration’s focus on fentanyl, calling it an excuse to issue his tariffs.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The post sparked much debate among Reddit users, and opinions were divided over whether or not the OP owed the woman an apology.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Trump is the one who owes an apology—and his resignation—to the world.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The economists run through various explanations for the productivity surge and then knock down most of them.
    Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Exaggerated achievements or vague explanations about past roles are warning signs.
    Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors, however, claimed Ferguson purposefully killed his wife during a fit of rage fueled by alcohol and their previous argument, per CBS News.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • For some of those attorneys it's been a challenging week, as judges in several cases have appeared skeptical of the government's arguments.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Athena and Romero naturally assume the woman is Isabelle, Bullock’s ex, but she’s got an alibi that checks out.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Kasie matches a partial print to Carson Marcone, a local HVAC guy who had an airtight alibi for the original bank heist and was active in the fugitive robbery enthusiast online community.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In 2018, after signing with the Red Sox and becoming an All-Star but before helping to lead the team to another World Series title, Martinez was asked about his slow free agency and whether his current season was some sort of vindication.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In a press release their lawyers welcomed the ruling as a long-overdue vindication.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 27 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apologia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apologia. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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